PREMIUM
Spain vs France
(Euro Cup) Spain vs. France,
Money Line: 160.00 Spain (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: 160.00 Spain (Away)
Result: Win
When France plays, we feel like we're watching replays of Football Italia from Channel 4 the '90s...but then, we suppose we should, considering the long association of Didier Deschamps and Juventus. No matter, this modern interpretation of catenaccio is even more dour than past versions of Les Bleus under Deschamps, which could tap the accelerator when needed. Though into the semis at the Euros thanks to a heavy dose of defense and Mike Maignan's stellar work in goal, it's not working offensively for France, which has yet to score from open play (its only goals in Germany via a spot-kick and two own goals), and Kylian Mbappe is not the same as he labors with the discomfort of a broken nose, which among other things is making it hard for him to breathe or sleep. Just France's luck, perhaps, that Spain is minus Robin Le Normand and the indispensable Dani Carvajal (due to suspensions) on the backline, which will force Luis de la Fuente to do some quick handiwork (could 38-year-old Jesus Navas really get a start in Carvajal's place?). No matter, Spain has looked so much better going forward, and didn't seem to miss the injured Pedri vs. France as Dani Olmo came on to score a key goal and record a key assist in the pulsating win over Germany. Importantly, perhaps, both Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal should be relatively rested after coming off right around the hour mark on Friday. Rodri is still in the middle of the pitch offering unparalleled quarterbacking, and Spain will come at France with more numbers and much harder than any foe Deschamps & Co have faced thus far in the Euros. Play Spain on Money Line