Spain vs Northern Ireland prediction: WORLD: Friendly International betting tips on match 2024-06-07 19:30.
[p]Spain began their final build-up for Euro 2024 by breezing to a 5-0 friendly victory over lowly Andorra on Wednesday, a welcome return to winning ways after March’s brace of winless outings (D1, L1). A much-changed team gave manager Luis de la Fuente plenty to consider before he finalises his Euros squad, especially after Ayoze Pérez and Fermin López marked their debuts with a goal and an assist respectively. [/p]
[p]Ahead of everyone’s final chance to impress the coach, who recently signed a contract extension until 2026, La Roja are bidding to avoid defeat at home against a fellow UEFA member for the first time since September 2022 (W5). As Northern Ireland arrive in Mallorca, Spain will be confident of completing such a feat as they remarkably haven’t lost a friendly at home since June 2016 (W7, D4).[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win over Scotland in March saw them go unbeaten in three matches for the first time in two years (W2, D1) and the first time since Michael O’Neill was reappointed as manager. After starting that sequence by beating Denmark 2-0, they’ll fancy a crack at another side inside FIFA’s top 25 with little to lose given that they have a quiet summer upcoming after failing to qualify for Euro 2024.[/p]
[p]The Green and White Army’s focus is now building towards to the start of the UEFA Nations League in September, and a potential first taste of international football for goalkeeper Pierce Charles, defender Aaron Donnelly and midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce highlights a strong future. It doesn’t get much harder than facing Spain on the road though, where Northern Ireland haven’t won a H2H since their famous Gerry Armstrong-inspired 1982 World Cup triumph in Valencia (D1, L5).[/p]
[p]Key battle: Ferran Torres has scored in the second half in two of Spain’s last four fixtures, whilst three of his last five goals for Barcelona also came after half-time. Although likely to be preoccupied with trying to stop him, Northern Ireland’s Conor Bradley also represents a goal threat himself having scored their first-half winner against Scotland.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: The side scoring first subsequently lost none of Northern Ireland’s last 13 internationals (NOR: W4, D1, L8).[/p]