UEFA Nations League: Spanish Eyes On The Prize

Spain vs Switzerland

Top plays bottom in Saturday’s Group A4 clash at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, where favourites Spain take on Switzerland in Round Three of the UEFA Nations League

Spain are one of a group of four favourites to lift the second Nations League trophy, alongside England, France and Belgium, and a victory over Switzerland on Saturday night will strengthen La Rojas’ grip on Group A4.

The pre-match Spain vs Switzerland betting odds point to a difficult night for the Swiss against a side which is favourite to win the group and challenge for the title. But Vlademir Petkovic’s side can be notoriously difficult to break down, so the hosts will need to be patient.

Talking Points

Spain’s Young Guns are firing

La Roja kicked off their Nations League campaign with a decent 1-1 draw away to Germany and they followed that up with a superb performance to beat Ukraine 4-0. They showed some steel to come back from a goal down against Germany after Timo Werner had given Joachim Low’s team a lead, but Spain kept the faith until the 95th minute when Valencia’s Jose Gaya struck.

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Then in the 4-0 destruction of Ukraine the hugely experienced Sergio Ramos scored twice before two young guns got in on the act. Ansu Fati, who doesn’t reach 18 until the last day of this month, scored before 20 year old Ferran Torres completed the rout with five minutes remaining. These two rising stars are sure to be in the UEFA Nations League 2020 news over the next few days. Torres was impressive in Manchester City’s recent 1-1 draw with Leeds United and has settled well into his new role at the Etihad, while Fati continues to make an impression with Barcelona after his breakthrough season in 2019/20.

The Spaniards come into the game on the back of an entertaining 0-0 draw with Nations League champions Portugal, who came close, hitting the woodwork twice, while Ramos, making his 173^rd international appearance, almost snatched a winner with a header late in the game.

Switzerland aiming for Euro 2021

The Swiss are bottom of Group A4, losing 2-1 to Ukraine and drawing with Germany, but head coach Vladimir Petkovic isn’t too worried. He knows his side is in a tough group and is simply looking for progression in the run up to Euro 2021. He says: “We have matches against some of the biggest teams in the world coming up, so it’s natural that anticipation is high.

We are optimistic, but realistic as well. We are still in a process of development with Euro 2021 next summer being the long term goal. But it’s part of the process to continuously improve and hold our own against every opponent.”

The Swiss have an experienced goal poacher in Haris Seferovic, who scored against Ukraine, and an influential captain in the middle of the park. The uncompromising Granit Xhaka is part of an Arsenal side which is looking much stronger under Mikel Arteta, beating Premier League champions Liverpool twice in recent months. Xhaka is back to his old combative self having looked lost under previous Gunners manager Unai Emery.

Switzerland expect Granit Xhaka to create UEFA Nations League highlights as they clash against Spain — Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka in action during their match against Croatia

Petkovic’s side warmed up for this round of Nations League games with a narrow defeat to 2018 World Cup runners Croatia. Mario Gavranovic scored the opener as Switzerland went ahead but the Croats fought back to win the game 1-2.

History

In total there have been 20 meetings between these two teams and Spain have had the upper hand, winning 15, drawing four and losing just once.

But the two nations have met just four times since 1966, with Spain winning two to Switzerland’s one, and the last meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in a friendly in June 2018.

In Madrid Spain are unbeaten in 19 games, with 16 wins and three draws, but Switzerland actually drew on their last trip to the city with a 2-2 result in a World Cup qualifier way back in 1957.

Recent form favours the hosts who are unbeaten in 14 and have won seven home matches in a row, while Switzerland are without a victory in three.

Betting Tip

	Spain vs Switzerland	Spain Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.20
	October 11, 02:45 (GMT+8)

La Roja are overwhelming favourites to win this game at odds of 1.37, with the draw at 4.40 and Switzerland at 8.25 to spring a major surprise.

Playing with Asian Handicap SBOTOP is the way to find the best value in a fixture like this, and I’m going with Luis Enrique’s Spain to take all three points by a two goal margin.

For an alternative bet, Over 2.50 goals looks on at odds of 1.82, particularly if Spain’s young guns have their shooting boots on.