Spain Given 1-6 Odds to Win Group F in Euro 2020 Qualifying
- Spain are the overwhelming favorites to win Group F of the 2020 UEFA Euro Championship qualifying group
- Spain won the 2008 and 2012 Euro titles
- The Spaniards also won the 2010 World Cup
The reign of Spain over the soccer world was as impressive a run as the sport has ever seen. Between 2008-12, the Spaniards sandwiched triumphs in the 2008 and 2012 UEFA Euro Championships around victory in the 2010 World Cup.
From 2005-09, the Spanish side went undefeated for an impressive 35 consecutive matches, a world record they share with mighty Brazil. Soccer experts consider that Spanish side to be among the best ever assembled in the history of the sport.
Are the Spaniards ready to ascend to that level of greatness again? That’s doubtful, but Spain should still overwhelm its opposition in Group F of the 2020 UEFA Euro qualifying.
2020 Euro Qualifying Group F Winner Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain | -300 |
| Sweden | +700 |
| Norway | +1400 |
| Romania | +1600 |
| Faroe Islands | +100000 |
| Malta | +100000 |
*Odds taken on 03/20/19
The last time Spain didn’t qualify for the final stages of an international tournament was the 1992 UEFA Euro Championship.
Mixed Results Lately for Spain
The Spaniards have proven to be a streaky side of late. They exited the 2018 World Cup in Russia in the Round of 16 with just one victory to show for themselves, a 1-0 verdict over Iran. Spain’s immediate post-World Cup form was impressive, though.
In European Nations League player, they toppled England 2-1 at Wembley Stadium and crushed 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia 6-0. That was followed by a decisive 4-1 victory in a friendly at Wales.
The Spanish displayed a different style in these games than was evident at the World Cup. They still held strong possession numbers, but took a more aggressive, attacking approach. There was purpose in their ball movement and urgency in their pace of play.
Yet just when it seemed that Spain had turned a corner, they went right off a cliff again. The last three matches for the Spanish side included a 3-2 home loss to England, a 3-2 setback at Croatia, and a 1-0 friendly victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A New Look for Qualifying
Spanish manager Luis Enrique continues to reshape his side as he readies for the Euro 2020 qualifiers. The 23-player squad named by Enrique to begin the qualifying matches includes just five players who were part of Spain’s 2018 World Cup roster.
Euro 2020 qualifiers: Real Madrid star left outhttps://t.co/6Lw8L3dpdT
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) March 16, 2019
Veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta and forward David Silva had already given way to new blood. Now, Enrique has left out midfielder Isco, who’s been out of favor at Real Madrid.
Spain resume training as they prepare to take it to the international stage, ahead of the upcoming euro 2020 qualifiers against Norway and Malta. #KTNNewsCentre pic.twitter.com/TCjg5sEBH0
— KTN News Alerts (@KTNNewsKE) March 20, 2019
Also left out were two other 2018 World Cup veterans in Atletico Madrid midfielders Koke and Saul, and forward Diego Costa, although Costa’s issue is lack of fitness rather than poor form. He’s struggling with a left thigh muscle injury.
There’s Time to Experiment
The Spaniards will open with matches against lesser group sides. That gives Enrique time to try things and find the side that works best together.
They are home to Norway on March 23rd and away to Malta on March 26th. Spain’s next match is away to the Faroe Islands on June 7th, so the Spanish side should be comfortably 3-0 in the group when they face their first true test, at home to Sweden on June 10th.
Sweden Playing for Second
The Swedes are 2-2-1 in five matches since losing to England in the quarterfinals at the 2018 World Cup.
Sweden has qualified for the past five UEFA European Championships. By winning their European Nations League group, the Swedes are guaranteed a playoff spot if they finish out of the top two in the group stage.
That shouldn’t happen, but the Swedes at best will finish second behind Spain.
Pick: Spain (-300)
Our Euro 2020 Qualifying Coverage:
- Croatia Listed as Odds-On Favorite to Win Group E in Euro 2020 Qualifying
- Belgium Heavily Favored to Win Group I in Euro 2020 Qualifying
- Odds to Win Group C in Euro 2020 Qualifying: Germany or Netherlands?
- England Given 1-8 Odds to Win Group A in Euro 2020 Qualifying
- Euro 2020 Qualifying Odds: Group G Expected to Be Tightly Contested Between Poland & Austria
- Portugal Listed as Odds-On Favorite to Win Group B in Euro 2020 Qualifying; Can Serbia or Ukraine Contest?
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
