Spain are Europe’s schoolyard bullies: They just won’t let others play with the ball. Their world-class midfielders hog the ball for long stretches with that incredible possession-based tiki-taka style until they find an opening in the opposition’s defense. That style also does wonders for their defense. After all, their opponents can’t score if they don’t have the ball. The Spaniards conceded just three goals during qualifying.
They are also a very experienced bunch. A large majority of Spain’s squad has been a part of their 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship triumphs. The reigning European champs are priced at -200 to win Group D and +600 to successfully defend their crown in France.
Team Weaknesses:
Spain’s aura of invincibility was well and truly shattered in the 2014 World Cup as teams learned how to exploit their high defensive line. Their team has only gotten older and slower in the last two years, so that weakness may be exposed even more in France.
Goalkeeper could be a bit of a problem as well if in-decline captain Iker Casillas maintains his staring spot in favor of David De Gea, who’s one of the top goalkeepers in the world at the moment. Meanwhile, striker will also be a very questionable position, with the four players selected (Alvaro Morata, Aritz Aduriz, Nolito and Lucas Vazquez) combining for just two international goals.
Team Stats (During Euro Qualifiers):
Category
Stat
Goals Scored Per Game
2.3
Goals Conceded Per Game
0.3
Goal Attempts Per Game
18.3
Pass Completion Percentage
92%
Ball Possession Percentage
67%
Starting Lineup:
Position
Name (Age)
Career Caps
Goals
Goalie
David De Gea (25)
8
0
Defender
Juanfran (31)
17
0
Defender
Gerard Pique (29)
76
4
Defender
Sergio Ramos (30)
131
10
Defender
Jordi Alba (27)
42
6
Midfielder
Sergio Busquets (27)
83
2
Midfielder
Andres Iniesta (32)
107
13
Midfielder
Cesc Fabregas (29)
103
14
Midfielder
David Silva (30)
96
23
Midfielder
Pedro (28)
56
16
Forward
Alvaro Morata (23)
8
1
Writer’s Prediction
Spain fail to make it three European Championships in a row as they fall in the semifinals.
