Last Updated on June 16, 2023 10:49 pm by Erwin Noguera
The UEFA Nations League will have a new champion this year after Croatia and Spain meet this Sunday in the final.
The Balkan team had a tough battle and surprised the Netherlands, so they’ll a final again with their golden generation.
La Roja for its part wants to celebrate a new European title and the first in this new stage for José Luis de la Fuente.
When:
Sunday, June 18 at 2:45 pm ET at the De Kuip stadium
Moneyline odds:
Croatia +265
Spain +105
Draw Offs:
+246
Where Can I Watch?
Why Bet on Croatia?
Croatia managed to sneak into the UEFA Nations League final after beating the Netherlands 2-4 in extra time. This time, with goals from Andrej Kramaric, Mario Pasalic, Bruno Petkovic, and Luka Modric. Modric was precisely chosen as the MVP of the game and it is incredible that at almost 38 years of age, he continues to play at this level and run 119 minutes.
Zlatko Dalic has already led the Croatian team to their second final after being runners-up in Russia 2018. Now they will go for their first international title in what will be one of the last tournaments for Modric, who may reach the next Eurocup.
The Balkans have 4 unbeaten games and have only lost 1 match of their last 16: vs. Argentina in the World Cup in Qatar. They are undoubtedly a strong team, especially defensively, and they have had a large player base in recent years where, in addition to those mentioned in the goals against the Netherlands, there are also Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic or Dominik Livakovic, among others.
Why Bet on Spain?
Spain advances to a new final with its new generation and wants to show that it can emulate what Xavi, Iniesta, Iker, and many others did. This Thursday they beat Italy 2-1 with goals from Yéremy Pino and Joselu, who scored towards the end and thanks to two rebounds off Italian defenders.
José Luis de la Fuente, who has only coached 3 games with the team, is very close to giving them the fifth title. This after having been world champions in 2010 and the Euro Cup in 1964, 2008, and 2010. For now, he beat Norway (3-0) and Italy (2-1) and lost to Scotland (2-0).
Rodri, who had just won the Champions League with Manchester City and was chosen as the best player in the final, was also the MVP of this game and showed that he is a key player in La Roja. However, the rest of his colleagues must raise their level since they are all stars in their clubs.
We must highlight what Joselu, 33, did. In March he played his first game with the National Team and scored 2 goals in his first 4 minutes on the pitch, and this Thursday he entered at minute 84 and scored at 88′.
Final Betting Analysis: Croatia vs. Spain
It will be a very good match between two teams with different styles, as Spain usually has a lot of possession of the ball while Croatia is more defensive and seeks to come out quickly on the counterattack. It will be an even game in which we believe that they will be tied in the 90 minutes and will be defined in penalties, with the Croatians coming on top.
The numbers at MyBookie.ag have Spain as the favorite, as the Moneyline for them shows +105, meanwhile Croatia has +265 and the draw is +246.
The last time they met was on June 28, 2021, in the round of 16 of the Euro Cup and they tied 3-3 but then Spain won 5-3 in extra time. In 2018 they met twice in the Nations League and the one who played at home always won: 3-2 for the Croats and 6-0 for the Spanish.
Portugal was the champion of the first edition of the UEFA Nations League while France won the second.
Go for a draw in the Moneyline. If you bet $100 at the draw at +246, you will gain $246 for a total payout of $346.
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