Euro 2012 Opta Stats: Spain won't be settling for a draw

Spain are unbeaten in each of their last eight games at the Euros
The reigning European and world champions are bidding to make history by becoming the first international side to win three successive major tournaments. Unlike the last team to try, France, who looked doomed from the start at World Cup 2002, Spain are offering no indication that their era of domination is over either. Opta note that they are unbeaten in three against Croatia, and all this talk of playing for a 2-2 draw has seen Spain drift to an attractive 1.768/11 from a restrictive 1.574/7.

Antonio Di Natale's goal in the opening game of this tournament was the only one Spain have conceded over their last six games in major international tournaments
It is Spain's obscene amount of world-class midfielders that gets most of the attention - illustrated beautifully by the arrival of Javi Martinez, Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla off the bench in the annihilation of the Republic of Ireland - but their success has been built on a solid defensive base. The aforementioned streak featured shut outs against Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands and, importantly, the absence of Carles Puyol this time doesn't appear to be having the impact feared.

Last Thursday's 4-0 win over the Republic of Ireland ended a run of five consecutive games at the World Cup and European Championship in which La Roja had always scored exactly one goal (including extra time)
This Opta insight serves as an important reminder that what happened last Thursday was an exception rather than the norm. Spain are masters of converting winning positions, however they rarely do so in that fashion, benefitting from early goals in both halves which saw Ireland practically give up defensively. Another indicator that under 2.5 goals is an appealing bet for this match is that Croatia's clash with Ireland also boasted four, yet both teams' collisions with a more capable Italy side produced just two.

Recommended Bets:
Back Spain to win @ 1.768/11
Back Spain to keep a clean sheet @ 2.9215/8
Back under 2.5 goals @ 2.226/5

Click here to read more Opta stats on this encounter