Spain take on Poland in their second Group E match of Euro 2020 with both sides aiming to get their first three-point haul of the tournament.
It was a frustrating evening in Seville for the 2008 and 2012 winners as they laboured to a 0-0 draw against a very organised Sweden side.
Luis Enrique’s men certainly have a point to prove, with few backing Spain for outright glory – a far cry from their international domination of a decade ago.
For Poland, the game can be regarded as must-win after they were somewhat surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Slovakia on their first matchday.
Even with the enormous talents of Robert Lewandowski, they looked flat and succumbed to defeat, placing huge importance on this contest.
Spain can be backed at 10/27 to win, with Poland 31/4 and a draw 4/1.
Goals On The Cards For Both Sides
In theory, Spain should find more joy in this game than the contest against Sweden due to the circumstances of the encounter.
The first game in the group stage of any international tournament is always quite a cagey affair, with many teams adopting a “must not lose” mentality.
Sweden’s defensive approach meant that for all Spain’s possession – 85% to be precise – they couldn’t find that elusive goal.
Antes de meternos de lleno en la previa del partido ante Polonia, vamos a dejaros otra de esas joyitas de los entrenamientos…
¡¡Vuelve el show @Thiago6 – Rodri!!
Bueno, en realidad nunca se fue. ¡¡A disfrutar de esta delicatessen!!#SomosEspaña #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/hc4ePiic8O
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) June 19, 2021
However, Poland will leave more gaps because they simply need to get a result – it is no use them sitting back for the whole 90 minutes and hoping for the best.
Obviously, they will be forced into that at certain stages, because La Roja will enjoy more possession, but this will be a game between two sides desperate to win.
Spain may have kept three straight clean sheets, but they’ve conceded against Kosovo, Georgia, and Greece in internationals this year already so there is vulnerability there.
Punters can back both sides to score at 29/20.
Lewandowski To Get Off The Mark
Poland’s Lewandowski has had a record-breaking year at club level, cementing his status as one of the greats of the modern era.
He bagged 41 times in Bundesliga to set a new season record and continues to hammer defences despite entering his mid-30s.
With Poland, he doesn’t have the same supply line as at Bayern Munich, so it is obviously going to be more difficult to replicate that form.
However, with Spain set to be on the attack, space will be there for Lewandowski.
He has scored 66 goals in 120 caps for the Eagles and is 11/5 to add to that tally anytime.
Spain Set For Important Win
Spain certainly have a point to prove going into the Poland clash.
The naysayers believe they aren’t the force of yesteryear and those claims will have been heightened by the Sweden draw.
However, their recent record at this tournament speaks for itself, with two wins and a semi-final in their last three attempts.
Across all competitions, Enrique’s side are unbeaten in nine games and have lost only one of their 10 meetings with Poland.
They can be backed at 9/4 to win by one goal.
*All odds correct at time of writing.