European giants Spain take on three-time World Cup semifinalists Croatia in the first marquee matchup of the Euro 2024 group stage on Saturday in Berlin.
While Spain are not amongst the top favorites to win the competition, they are still considered strong contenders, and will be expected to not just escape the group stage, but finish top of the standings en route to a knockout stage place.
Spain's European Championship history is strong, having reached the semifinals in three of the last four competitions, including titles in 2008 and 2012. They have failed to exit the group stage just once since 1996, and will be targeting a spot on the podium after finishing third back in 2020, falling to eventual champions Italy in the semifinals.
Croatia, led by an aging Luka Modric, have yet to see their recent World Cup rise translate to the European Championship. They've secured finishes of second and third at each of the last two FIFA tournaments, but have never progressed past the quarterfinals at the Euros, having been bounced in the Round of 16 in each of the last two editions.
Spain vs. Croatia prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Spain (-110)
- Score prediction: Spain 2-1 Croatia
Croatia are a team that plays greater than the sum of its parts, but they have hung their hat on the career of Luka Modric, and at 38 years old he is a shadow of his former self.
While Modric has been brilliant at times for Real Madrid this season, as you'd expect of a legendary player of his caliber, he has seen his minutes severely limited, often coming off the bench for the final 30 minutes or starting in less important matches to give Toni Kroos a rest.
In this tournament, they'll struggle to keep him fit, and while that may take a greater toll later in the competition, it will still be a factor here against a very strong opponent. Spain scored five goals against Northern Ireland and Andorra in their warmup matches, and while the caliber of opponent here is much stronger, they are still in exceptional form.
| BetMGM (USA) | |
| Spain win | -110 |
| Draw | +240 |
| Croatia win | +310 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -110 N: -130 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | O: +105 U: -145 |
| Spain -0.5 goals | -120 |
| Croatia +0.5 goals | -120 |
Spain vs. Croatia match facts
- Date: Saturday, Jun. 15, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 6 p.m. local (12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT)
- Location: Olympiastadion (Berlin, Germany)
- Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
- Last meeting: Croatia 0-0 Spain (Jun. 18, 2023 | UEFA Nations League)
Spain vs. Croatia best bet
- Pick: Both teams to score — Yes
- Odds: -110 (BetMGM)
Croatia are a defensive-minded side, and can lock down the best Europe has to offer, but it will be nearly impossible to keep this Spain side out of the net. They've scored 13 goals in their last three friendlies via eight different goal scorers, including a 3-3 draw against Brazil back in March.
Spain have, however, struggled to keep clean sheets, and Croatia are also in strong goal scoring form. Modric's side has bagged nine goals of their own in the last three games, including an impressive pair against Portugal in their final warmup match. Meanwhile, Spain have not kept a clean sheet since a pair of shutout wins over Scotland and Norway back in October, now on six straight games having conceded at least one goal.
The perception here is that Croatia will muck up the match, and thus the value here enough to grab.
Spain vs. Croatia prop bet
- Pick: 26 or more total shots
- Odds: +120 (FanDuel)
With Spain spreading the scoring around between their many attackers and other contributors, it's hard to find an individual who presents proper value in front of net. Instead, we'll back the team as a whole to get a solid chunk of efforts on net.
Croatia saw 29 shots taken between the two sides in their most recent match against Portugal, indicating their tendency to remain in a shell from previous tournaments may be a thing of the past. Spain, meanwhile, ripped off 40 total shots between their latest friendlies against Northern Ireland and Andorra, and had 19 against Brazil in a match that featured 31 total efforts.
These two teams are looking to get on the front foot, moreso than they have in the past, and that will see this total come and go with relative ease.
Spain vs. Croatia live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FOX | Fubo USA, Fox Sports GO, ViX |
| Canada | CTV, TSN1, TSN4, TVA Sports | CTV app, TSN+, TVA+ |
| UK | ITV | ITVX |
This prime Euro 2024 matchup will be televised in the United States on FOX network channel, which can be found streaming on Fubo who are offering a free trial for new users. The match will also be found on Fox's in-house streaming platform Fox Sports GO, while a Spanish-language broadcast is available on streaming service ViX.
In Canada, this match will be televised on CTV, as well as on TSN1 and TSN4 and TVA Sports, with all networks offering live streaming options too.
In the UK, Euro 2024 matches are split between ITV and the BBC. This match will be televised by ITV, with streaming on their dedicated platform ITVX.
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