Frank Lorenzo
On Thursday, October 9, Spain visits Slovakia looking to take sole possession of first place in Group C of the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Both teams won in their first fixtures against Macedonia and Ukraine, respectively. Now they will square off in Zilina, Slovakia at 14:45 ET.
On Thursday, October 9, Spain visits Slovakia looking to take sole possession of first place in Group C of the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Both teams won in their first fixtures against Macedonia and Ukraine, respectively. Now they will square off in Zilina, Slovakia at 14:45 ET.
Looking at the money line odds, Spain is the big favorite to win, listed at -250, while Slovakia is at +750, and a draw is listed at +333.
Statistically, it looks like Spain will not have any problem beating Slovakia. The Spanish have won their last 14 qualifying away games; they are unbeaten in their last 17 qualifying away games (16W, 1D) since losing to Sweden in October of 2006. In contrast, Slovakia has not won in their last three competitive home matches (1D, 2L).
After thrashing Macedonia 5-1 in their first match, the Spanish national coach, Vicente Del Bosque, said it was a perfect start: “We have started qualifying with three important points. We combined well and we have had more depth. We played with more people going forward and they played with five defenders, forcing us to open the game”.
Meanwhile, Slovakian head coach, Ján Kozak, recounted the good defense and luck that propelled his team to a 1-0 win in Kiev: “We were up against very strong opponents tonight and we were made to defend most of the time, especially in the second half. I can’t say we controlled the game because we didn’t plan to sit so deep after the break. Ukraine are really tough at home, and I admit we had some luck winning here”.
Slovakia’s defense will be hard-pressed to post another clean sheet on Thursday against “La Furia Roja”.
