Nations League: Spain can get the job done against the Czechs

Both teams need the win

Spain conclude their summer international fixtures on Sunday, when they host the Czech Republic in a Nations League Group 2 encounter to be played in Malaga.

It is a fixture that both sides will feel they must win if they are to stand a chance of beating Portugal to top spot and, with it, a place in next summer’s finals. Spain are on five points, two behind Cristiano Ronaldo & Co., who play bottom side Switzerland, while the Czechs are on four.

Spain are 1.33 favourites to win this game, with the Czechs underdogs at 12. A draw can be backed at 5.9. 

Finish with a flourish 

Spain were runners-up in the previous edition of the Nations League, falling in the final against France. Their overall performance, though, was one that further underlined their status as one of international football’s leading teams, even if they are perceived to be in a period of transition currently. 

Certainly, there remains a degree of inconsistency in Luis Enrique’s side. Since exiting Euro 2020 at the hands of Italy, this has been shown by a loss against Sweden as well as a 2-2 draw against the Czechs when these sides met in Prague a week ago. Indeed, La Roja were twice behind, with Inigo Martinez digging them out a point with a last-minute strike.

Such an intense run of fixtures, though, should suit the Spanish. Their strength in depth was underlined as they made eight changes to the starting XI that drew in Prague when they went to Switzerland days later and secured a 1-0 win thanks to an early goal from Pablo Sarabia. 

Another such result would transform a satisfactory international period into a genuinely positive one. 

Spain will be trying to improve on their win and two draws from three Nations League games so far

Battling fatigue 

The Czech Republic, meanwhile, come into this fixture off the back of just one win in their five international fixtures in 2022. They have played a strong level of opponent, however, and they had drawn three of their first four matches in 90 minutes before losing 2-0 away to Portugal on Thursday. 

Avoiding relegation from Group A has to be their primary goal, and to that end they made a positive start to the competition thanks to two strong home performances. Switzerland were edged out 2-1 in a critical opening game before they came close to beating Spain. 

Jaroslav Silhavy has been forced to work his star players hard during this international break. Star players Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, for example, have played every minute of the three games so far. Indeed, only two changes were made between the Spain and Portugal fixtures. Fatigue must be an issue. 

Spain to do just enough 

At the end of a gruelling international break, Spain should have a comfortable edge thanks to their squad depth. They are not a team that tends to score prolifically, though, and their players are also coming to the end of a long campaign.

Look for them to do enough to get the win without too many fireworks, and to that end Spain to win and Under 2.5 goals at 4.1 looks attractive. For those willing to place more faith in the home side’s attack, Spain to win and keep a clean sheet is on offer at 2.04.

Recommended bet 

Spain/under 2.5 goals @ 4.1