For the second time in three years, football is 90 minutes from coming home as England will look to go one better and win Euro 2024 on Sunday evening when they take on Spain in the final of the tournament in Berlin.
England lost out in the final to Italy on penalties at Wembley in 2021 but are 90 minutes from consigning that loss to history. Spain are the same amount of time away from adding this title to the Nations League one they won last summer.
Where to watch
The match will be shown on both the BBC1 and ITV1 channels in the UK on Sunday. The build-up on both channels begins at 6.30pm ahead of the 8pm kick off in Berlin.
Spain
I think it is universally acknowledged that Spain have been the best team in the tournament so far but they will be acutely aware that they haven’t won anything yet and they need one more strong performance to get their hands on the trophy for the first time in 12 years. They have seen off Germany and France in the last two rounds so you would think they would be prepared for battle, although there were times in both matches when they looked second best.
I guess the biggest doubt about the Spanish in this final is whether they are too young to win a tournament of this magnitude. They have some experienced players but there are some who will be playing a game of this profile for the first time. If that isn’t a hindrance then Spain have shown they can get at any team in the competition and that is unlikely to change here so their fortunes could be determined by how they perform defensively.
England
I think that it is fair to say that England haven’t been anywhere near as good as Spain in this tournament and neither have they faced anything close to the level of this Spanish side at any part of the competition, however they have improved the longer the event has gone on and they will be hoping that they have saved their best for last. This has been an up and down campaign for England but none of that matters now as they go about avenging that loss to Italy three years ago.
England have been defensively strong enough throughout the tournament but we will find out exactly how good they are at the back in this match. Where the improvement has come about in this England side is moving forward and they probably delivered their best attacking display so far in the win over the Netherlands in the semi-final. A number of this England side were involved in that final three years ago and that experience could be vital.
Special Offer
Sign up for a Boylesports account and bet £10 to get up to £20 in free bets! Perfect offer for Euro2024! Click the image below for this great offer! New accounts only. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.
Team News
Spain had to win their semi-final without Dani Carvajal and Robin le Normand due to suspension but both are expected to return to the starting XI for this match. Alvaro Morata is expected to be fit despite an incident with a photographer after the win over France.
England coach Gareth Southgate is expected to go with the starting XI from the win over the Netherlands in the semi-final with his only real selection issue being whether to start Luke Shaw on the left or Kieran Trippier.
Betting
Both teams have scored in every knockout match that these two sides have played in the tournament so far and that is a trend that I expect to continue in what I fancy might be a more entertaining final than some we get to see at international level. This is a Spain side who in their first knockout match conceded a goal against Georgia and who throughout the tournament have looked an accident waiting to happen against crosses, which England can look to exploit. This Spain attack looks the real deal though and the addition of Dani Olmo makes it even stronger. The attacking players on show are so strong here that I find it hard to believe both teams won’t score. I like BTTS yes.
I’ll also take a chance on Marc Guehi scoring anytime at a monster price. I mentioned above that Spain have looked a mess against crosses in this tournament and whether it is from set plays or some sort of long throw the Crystal Palace man could be aimed at. If you go back to the decisive moment in this competition for England, the Jude Bellingham goal against Slovakia, it was Guehi who was aimed at for the flick on. This isn’t a tall Spain side by any stretch of the imagination so far attacking set plays Guehi should have his chance to get his head on things. At 55/1 I think he is worth a small play.
Tips
Back Both teams to score for a 3/10 stake at 2.10 with Betfred
Back M.Guehi to score anytime for a 1/10 stake at 56.00 with Unibet
