A pair of marquee matchups await soccer fans as the Euro 2012 quarter-finals conclude this weekend. Having won their groups, England and Spain avoided each other in the quarter finals of UEFA Euro 2012 but each faces a big test in the last eight.
Spain vs. France
Odds: Spain -139; Draw +235; France +360 (odds from Sports Interaction)
On the one hand you have form. Spain reign supreme as current World Cup and European champions. France’s last major tournament saw them turn in an embarrassing performance at World Cup 2010. On the other hand there is history. France has never, ever, lost a game in a major finals to Spain. In their last competitive encounter, at the same stage of the 2006 World Cup, France entered as underdogs. Les Bleus turned in a dominant 3-1 display to stun Spain.
Soccer betting fans know that there are no sure things in this sport. This current Spanish generation has proven one point throughout its dominant run. They have no fear of history. Eternal nemesis Italy was put to the sword in Euro 2008. Then Spain waved goodbye to past misfortunes en route to their first ever World Cup title. There are issues with Spain’s penetration but France have turned in a couple of shaky performances at the back. If Spain’s attack comes to play on Saturday, it should be enough to progress.
England vs. Italy
Odds: England +165; Draw +185; Italy +165 (odds from Sports Interaction)
John Barnes may have offered the best advice for the current English team when he proclaimed “Only one way to beat them, get round the back.” Admittedly those were lyrics he sang in ‘World in Motion’, England’s team song for World Cup 90, but they ring true today for Roy Hodgson’s charges. The current English line-up has looked resolute defensively but, the Sweden game aside, has lacked potency going forward. In five games under Hodgson, England have found the net seven times but have only scored two goals or more on one occasion.
Against Italy the English will likely struggle to score more than once but their opponents have been equally frustrated going forward. Cesare Prandelli’s team is directed on the field by Andrea Pirlo. While positioned as a defensive midfielder, Pirlo is the architect of Italy’s attack. If Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker can shut him down, then Italy will struggle to score on Sunday. For England’s attack, the key question will be in what partnership to use. Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck were far from dominant against Ukraine. Bringing in Andy Carroll from the start however will likely unbalance the English attack and the Rooney-Welbeck partnership is well-established at Manchester United. Expect Hodgson to make no changes to his starting XI but look for Carroll to be used as an impact sub.
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