Euro 2024: Albania vs Spain - Preview, Prediction & Betting Picks

A routine Spain win may seem like the most likely outcome on the surface but it may not be that straightforward. Spain already have top spot in the group sealed, so many changes to their starting XI feel likely here and there's quite a drop-off in quality from their first-choice XI to the first names off the bench. Spain have been mightily impressive so far but we may not see the ruthless, domineering version of the Spanish that we've seen in the first two games, and a repeat of the 2-1 (in favour of Spain) that these two sides played out earlier this year is not off the cards.

Make no mistake, though, Spain have a superior wealth of individual talent at their disposal so they should win with whatever lineup they choose, and in Álvaro Morata they have a man off the back of a 23-goal season, alongside four assists, who will be looking to add to his already impressive tournament tally for the national team. Albania 1-2 Spain.

Euro 2024 has already provided football fans with a series of exhilarating matches, and the upcoming fixture between Albania and Spain promises to be another captivating encounter. Scheduled to take place this Monday, the match holds significant importance for both teams, albeit for different reasons.

• Date: 06/24/2024
• Kick-off time: 15:00 (ET)
• Location: Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf

Albania find themselves in 3rd place in Group B with one point, a position that leaves them teetering on the brink of either progression or elimination. Their campaign began with a challenging match against Italy, a team with a storied history in international football. Despite a valiant effort, Albania succumbed to a defeat in their opening game. However, their performance in the subsequent fixture against Croatia was a testament to their resilience and determination.

The draw against Croatia was not just a point earned, but a statement of intent. Going toe-to-toe with a side that has reached the final and semi-finals of the last two World Cups is no small feat. The match was a thrilling affair, showcasing Albania's ability to compete with some of the best teams in the world. This result has no doubt buoyed their hopes and injected a fresh sense of belief into the squad.

This tournament marks only the second time Albania have qualified for a major tournament as an independent nation. The prospect of progressing to the knockout stages for the first time in their history is tantalisingly close, yet they face a daunting task. To achieve this historic milestone, Albania will need to secure what would be their first-ever win at a major tournament. A mere two points are unlikely to suffice for qualification as one of the best third-placed teams, making the match against Spain a must-win encounter.

Throughout the tournament, Albania have seen some impressive individual performances, but one player who has particularly stood out is Kristjan Asllani. The 22-year-old midfielder from Inter Milan has been instrumental in controlling the tempo of the game for Albania. His vision, passing accuracy, and ability to dictate play have been crucial assets for Sylvinho's team.

Sylvinho, Albania's manager, has been pivotal in orchestrating the team's tactics and fostering a competitive spirit within the squad. His experience and strategic acumen will be put to the test as he prepares his team to face a formidable Spanish side.

Spain, currently at the top of Group B with six points, have already secured their place in the knockout stages by winning their first two games. Their performances against Croatia and Italy were nothing short of impressive, as they dispatched both teams with relative ease. This Spanish squad, under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, has demonstrated a blend of traditional technical prowess and new-found dynamism.

The inclusion of players like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams has added a new dimension to Spain's attack. Their pace and directness on the wings have provided the team with an additional threat, complementing the more familiar possession-based style of play. Fabián Ruiz has also been a standout performer, showcasing his versatility and roundedness in midfield. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively has been a key factor in Spain's success so far.

Historically, Spain have dominated encounters between these two sides. They have faced each other on eight occasions, with Spain emerging victorious each time. The most recent meeting, in 2022, ended in a 2-1 victory for Spain. This historical dominance adds an additional layer of challenge for Albania as they seek to overturn the odds and secure a vital win.

With Spain already confirmed as group winners, there is speculation that they might ease off in this match. This could provide Albania with an opportunity to exploit any potential complacency and claim a shock victory. However, Spain's depth in quality means that even a rotated squad will pose significant challenges for Albania.

For Albania, the significance of this match cannot be overstated. Qualifying for the knockout stages would be a historic achievement for the nation and a testament to the progress they have made in recent years. It would also serve as an inspiration for future generations of Albanian footballers.

For Spain, the match represents an opportunity to maintain their momentum and continue building confidence ahead of the knockout stages. Even with qualification assured, maintaining a winning mentality and avoiding injuries will be key priorities for de la Fuente.

This game will be aired live to all U.S. viewers on Fox Sports.

Albania Team News:

Albania are doing well on the injury front and could start this game with an unchanged XI from the one that began the game against Croatia last time out.

However, after bagging an equaliser off the bench, Klaus Gjasula will probably feel hard done by if his exploits are not rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

Spain Team News:

Having already secured top spot in the group, expect wholesale changes to the starting XI that lined up against Italy from the first whistle on Thursday night.

Nacho, Alejandro Grimaldo, Mikel Merino, Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal all feel likely to start, while Real Madrid's Joselu will hope to deputise for Morata up top.

Albania's last five games have seen them claim two wins, two draws and one defeat. Their most recent game, a 2-2 draw with Croatia, was one of the games of the tournament. Albania started in excellent fashion and took full advantage of the momentum they gained as Qazim Laçi headed in from a fine cross from the right.

Albania's out-of-possession structure was extremely impressive and they gave Croatia a plethora of issues in the first half while maintaining a very potent threat on the break, missing a couple of chances to extend their lead.

A couple of Croatian changes swung the pendulum in the favour of the Croats and two quickfire goals past the 70-minute mark put them 2-1 up, but Albania showed an immense level of character and heart as they fought back to turn the game into an enthralling end-to-end contest in the last 10-15 minutes, eventually equalising at the death through a smart finish by Klaus Gjasula.

This result followed a 2-1 defeat to Italy, where Albania gave a good account of themselves despite facing a much stronger side. Prior to that, Albania Azerbaijan 3-1 and Liechtenstein 3-0 which was preceded by a 1-0 loss to Sweden.

Spain are coming into this game unbeaten in their last five games, winning their last four games in a row. Spain took on Italy in the crunch fixture of this group on Thursday night and delivered a dominant, impressive performance. Truth be told, 1-0 does not do Spain's performance justice as Luis de la Fuente's side were comfortably the better team, frequently giving the Italian defence fits through tricky wing play by Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

Spain now look a very multifaceted team with a diverse blend of technical profiles, not only exemplified through Yamal and Williams but also Fabián Ruiz in the midfield, who was once again excellent.

Spain came into this game following on from a commanding 3-0 win over Croatia, a result that followed a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland, a 5-0 win over Andorra and a 3-3 draw with Brazil

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