Internationals / Tobias Gourlay / 17 June 2009 /

Tobias Gourlay thinks Xisco has a point to prove. That may or may not have something to do with his recommendation for Spain's match with England. Best Bet: Back Over 2.5 Goals at [2.46]

After an unimpressive 2-1 victory over a plucky Finnish side, England ([3.05]) travel to Gothenburg to play Spain ([2.58]) in their second group-stage game. These two last met a couple of years ago in Stuart Pearce's first game as England U21 coach. Joe Hart, James Milner and Theo Walcott were involved as the Three Lions recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Pride Park. If England could win here, they would be through to the knockout stages.

For one man, this game is a big opportunity to begin the rehabilitation of his reputation among English football fans. Just as Jacqui Smith's husband would need to cure cancer and then some to stop being known as the man who charged his porn collection to the British public, so Xisco has a lot to do to recover from a season spent behind Andy Carroll in the Newcastle United pecking order. A goal here would at least serve notice to Championship defences everywhere.

Events in the Finland game have contributed to leaving England a little short-handed at the back for this match with the pre-tournament favourites. An Achilles problem did for captain Steven Taylor before the tournament began, while it is not clear that Nedum Onuoha has recovered from the groin injury that ruled him out of the first game. Michael Mancienne is suspended for one match after sending a Finn flying in the penalty area and getting a straight red card, and, after scoring the winner, Micah Richards was taken off with an injured thigh.

Spain suffered no major physical injuries in their goalless draw with Germany three days ago - very slight doubts surround goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo and winger Diego Capel - but they would not have expected Asenjo, who is set to leave Real Valladolid for either Barcelona or Atlético Madrid this summer, to have been the man of the match.

Although Spain's measured approach did not lead to them creating many chances against a direct, physically imposing German side, Marc Torrejón, the Espanyol central defender, still believes that his nation has 'lots of quality and skill that will help us to outplay their strength.'

Taking his word for it, a case can be made for backing Over 2.5 Goals at [2.46]. Even with 10 men on Monday, Stuart Pearce was bold, replacing Theo Walcott with Frazier Campbell, a striker, and moving James Milner to right-back. It is easy to imagine that he would not want to be in a position of needing something from Sunday's game with Germany and its associated, miserable memories. If he attacks Spain instead, that Over Goals price looks much too long.

Xisco will probably start on the bench, if you still need convincing.

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