Spain’s preparations for Euro 2020 have been rocked by a Covid-19 outbreak, but they are still fancied to kick off with a victory against Sweden.
Captain Sergio Busquets will miss the Group E opener at La Cartuja in Seville after testing positive for coronavirus.
Leeds United defender Diego Llorente also looked set to miss out after initially testing positive, however, he has since returned two negative tests and is pushing for a starting role.
The outbreak within the Spanish camp forced Luis Enrique to invite 11 players from the under-21s to train separately from the main team in a parallel bubble.
It appears he won’t need to turn to those youngsters, but it can’t have been easy to get plans in order with uncertainty swirling around.
Home Comforts Aid Spain Cause
As is the case with several nations across this expansive Euros, Spain have the advantage of playing group fixtures on home soil.
Spain are heavily fancied to come through their group after being drawn alongside Sweden, Poland, Slovakia and can be backed at 8/1 to win the Euros.
They are 1/3 favourites to pick up three points against in their opening match against Sweden, who are priced at 37/4, while the draw is available at 17/4.
Enrique’s men went through qualifying unbeaten, finishing five points ahead of Sweden, and they won each of their five engagements at home.
That further strengthens the feeling that they should come through this opener with flying colours, having seen off Sweden 3-0 during that qualifying campaign.
Spain Can Secure a Shutout
La Roja have plenty to offer in the attacking third, but Enrique has built a squad on solid defensive foundations.
The three-time European champions conceded just five goals in 10 games during qualifying and just one of those found a way through when they were playing at home.
Indeed, they have earned 10 shutouts from their last 13 outings on Spanish soil and a Spain win to nil, which is available at 20/21, offers interest.
Tricky Torres Hitting the Target
Ferran Torres netted 13 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions during his debut season with Manchester City and he’s been scoring at a fine rate for the national team too.
The forward earned his maiden call-up to the senior Spain squad just 16 days after joining the Citizens and he’s grasped his opportunity with both hands.
He heads to the Euros with six goals in just 11 appearances for La Roja and he can be backed at 11/5 to score anytime.
Spain have scored in all but one of their last 12 meetings with Sweden and Torres has to be considered as a strong candidate to register.
*All odds correct at time of writing