Euro 2012 Opta Stats: Spain to edge out Portugal again

Michael Lintorn
26 June 2012

Iker Casillas has only been beaten once at Euro 2012

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Portugal have humbled Spain in a friendly since the World Cup, but the outcome should be different with a Euro 2012 final place at stake...

"Spain have kept a clean sheet in each of their last eight knockout games in major finals."

Recommended Bet: Back Spain to keep a clean sheet @ 2.26/5

Spain have won 31 out of 34 competitive games under Vicente del Bosque
Opta intriguingly reveal that Spain have won only two of their last 12 clashes with their neighbours, suffering a remarkable 4-0 loss when they last collided in November 2010. However, five months earlier the world's top-ranked team triumphed when they met in the World Cup's round-of-16, demonstrating the difference between facing Spain in a friendly and in a qualifier or tournament match, where their record is extraordinary. Portugal are the only semi-finalists to have been beaten already at Euro 2012, and their defeat count could be about to double.

Portugal and Spain have met three times in a major tournament; those three games produced just four goals in total
The most recent two of those were the most stingily contested of all, Portugal prevailing 1-0 in the group stage at Euro 2004 then losing 1-0 at the last World Cup. With three of the four quarter-finals featuring under 2.5 goals, including both of these sides', shorter odds than usual 1.558/15 are offered on this following suit, so you might decide that 2.6613/8 on under 1.5 is a more appetising option. Five of Spain's last six knockout round outings delivered precisely that, while the exception - Saturday's quarter-final with France - provided a clear trading opportunity.

Spain have kept a clean sheet in each of their last eight knockout games in major finals
This remarkable sequence pays tribute to the elements of Spain's make-up that don't always get the deserved credit, that in addition to the formidable ball retention, the effort put in to winning it in the first place is the foundation of their success. Their confidence in keeping clean sheets helps enable them to start without a recognised striker, the focus lent to tiring and demoralising the opposition and then, if that approach doesn't produce a goal, bringing a more direct player off the bench.

Click here to read more Opta stats on this encounter