Football Bet of the Day: La Roja to prevail in Group B opener

Saturday's football bet of the day will focus on what is undoubtedly the standout fixture for the opening weekend of Euro 2024 between Spain and Croatia.

Both teams are in Germany with the aim of lifting the trophy, but neither will have it easy in this year's 'Group of Death'. La Roja are among the favourites to win the tournament after a disappointing last-16 exit to Morocco in the 2022 World Cup, while Croatia reached the semi-finals in Qatar 18 months ago.

Spain vs Croatia Odds

Spain are favourites for the game at 19/20 - or a theoretical chance of 51.3% - while Croatia are 16/5 to win their opening contest at Euro 2024. The draw can be backed at 12/5 and if you fancy there to be goalmouth action, over 2.5 goals is currently priced up at 11/10.

As mentioned in the introduction, Group B is the group of death of this year's European Championships, and a win for either side will give them breathing room heading into matchday two, considering they both have to play the defending champions Italy and an unknown quantity in Albania.

No nation has won this competition more than Spain, who emerged triumphant in 1964, 2008 and 2012. They managed to reach the last four under Luis Enrique three years ago, losing on penalties to eventual victors Italy, but Spain’s recent tournament record doesn't make for great reading. However, Luis de la Fuente is hoping to change that this summer in Germany.

Croatia arrive at this year's tournament in good form having won their last six in a row, including a notable 2-1 win over Portugal last time out, and they've only lost two of their last 15 international outings, which makes this match-up seem more apt for the knockout stages rather than an opening encounter.

I believe the nature of the game should see De la Fuente's side dominate possession, with the onus to break down the Croatia defence. If Spain's qualifying campaign is anything to go by, they have plenty of weapons to do just that.

La Roja have scored 35 goals in their last 11 matches in across all competitions, including back-to-back five-goal hauls against Andorra and Northern Ireland. On the flip side, they've managed just the single clean sheet in their last six outings, which came against Andorra. Croatia don't tend to fire any blanks either, netting on nine occasions in their past three matches.

I'm expecting a closely-fought encounter for the Group B opener, but Spain should have enough quality to edge it.

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Betfred are running their famed Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven offer on this match, meaning that if a player scores first and then nets again, you will be paid at double the odds. If he grabs a hat-trick, you will be paid at treble the odds!

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