Romania vs Spain
Spain heads to Bucharest on Thursday, aiming to defend a 100 per cent record in Group F against Romania.
Both teams have made a good start to the Euro 2020 Qualifiers with Spain in 12 points from four games and Romania tied in second place on seven. The Arena Nationala will be bouncing when their own heroes arrive with a three-match unbeaten run. But they haven’t yet faced Spain, and this is their biggest test so far.
Romania head coach Cosmin Contra is without a key player, and that could come back to haunt him against one of the best sides in the world. The Euro 2020 betting odds tell us Spain is one of the four teams most likely to lift the title, along with France, England and Belgium, and the hosts will need to be at their best, as well as riding their luck if they are to end Spain’s perfect run.
A win for La Furia Roja will put them on 15 points from five and with a foot in the 2020 finals, while any sort of result for Romania will keep their hopes of second-place well and truly alive.
Talking Points
Romania without Star Man
After collecting two yellow cards in Romania’s last outing, Alexandru Chipciu will be missing from the Romanian eleven. The 30-year-old right-back picked up two yellow cards in the 4-0 win over Malta, as well as scoring, and he looks likely to be replaced by Romario Benzar.
Chipciu’s absence is all the more frustrating for Contra as the Tricolori have recovered from an opening match loss to Sweden, to take seven points from their next three games, including an impressive away draw in Norway. The hosts have goals in them, and George Puscas, with three, and Claudiu Keseru, with five, are expected to start upfront.
Contra has an experienced centre back in Sassuolo’s Vlad Chiriches to marshal his defence, and that will a big job against Spain’s free-scoring forwards.
Moreno at the Helm
Spain head coach Luis Enrique stepped down in June due to personal issues, which has left his assistant, Robert Moreno, in charge for the time being. Moreno has recently said he would be happy to step aside if Enrique decided to return, but in the meantime, he’s preparing La Furia Roja for the trip to Bucharest.
In his fourth international in charge, Moreno is without injured stars Marco Asensio and Isco, but he hasn’t been afraid to leave out other big names. Celta Vigo skipper Iago Aspas is missing out. He had a quiet game against Real Madrid recently but his omission has come as a surprise, while Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez has also been left at home.
Romania will be aware of the threat of centre forward Paco Alcacer and will need to work hard to avoid being overrun in midfield, where Manchester City’s Rodri will be alongside Atletico Madrid dynamo Saul Niguez.
Last time out Spain made short work of Sweden with a 3-0 Euro 2020 win after Sergio Ramos opened the scoring, and the Los Blancos legend will, once again, lead the Spain team and command its defence.
History
While there is a chasm in the ability and depth of these two squads, the head to head results are quite impressive from a Romanian point of view. The hosts have lost only four of the last 12 clashes with Spain, winning three and drawing five. And, when playing at home, Romania is unbeaten in five against La Furia Roja.
The last meeting was a goalless draw in a friendly back in 2016, but with two lively attacks on show I’d be surprised if we saw a repeat of that.
The Tricolore has lost just once in 14 games and is solid on home soil, unbeaten in six, but then Spain is on a winning streak of five.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Romania vs Spain | Spain First Half 1×2 @ 2.03 |
| September 6. 02:45 (GMT+8) |
Spain has a perfect set of Euro 2020 results so far and Romania will have to put on the performance of the weekend to mark an end to that. The double chance of Romania or Draw is available at 2.65.
Romania is at 6.60 to win with SBOBET, with the draw at 4.40 and Spain as low as 1.43 to come away with three more points. Keseru and Puscas will try to stretch the Spain defence, but Ramos and his team are well equipped to cope.
Over 2.50 goals is available at 1.88, and I think the visitors will make a fast start and be ahead by the break.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
