MX23RW : Friday, January 31 12:07:07| >> :600:4175708:4175708:

Preview: Group C - Croatia vs. Spain

Preview: Group C - Croatia vs. Spain
© PA Photos
A high-scoring draw would guarantee that both sides reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, however Spain's Xavi is promising to go for the the win. Sports Mole previews the encounter.

Croatia and Spain will meet for the first time in a major tournament tonight when they go head-to-head in Gdansk.

Both on four points after two games, the teams currently sit second and first respectively in Group C.

Croatia must win if they are to top the group while, barring Italy scoring a hatful against the Republic of Ireland in Poznan, a draw should be enough for Spain.

Vicente del Bosque's men can only be eliminated if they lose and Italy win, but a low-scoring draw would put Croatia at risk.

However, and this is where it gets controversial, a high-scoring draw of 2-2 or above would guarantee that both Spain and Croatia qualify regardless of the result in Poznan.

Spanish midfielder Xavi has dismissed suggestions that both teams might deliberately manufacture a mutually favourable result and he has promised that his side will attack.

He said: "We only know how to play attacking football so a draw would not suit us.

"We will go out determined to hold possession, to move the ball and to go forward. This is our style of game and the one that made us European and world champions.

"Our aim is always to go out for victory and against Croatia it will be no exception. We will play to get three points from the first minute until the last."

Croatia's Nikica Jelavic is the only injury doubt ahead of the game. The Everton forward missed training on Saturday with a fever, but he is expected to recover in time to start for Slaven Bilic's side.

Del Bosque may decide to rest Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fernando Torres, all of whom are one yellow card away from a suspension.

Recent form:

Croatia: DLWDWD
Spain: WWWWDW

Possible starting XIs:

Croatia: Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic; Vukojevic, Rakitic, Modric, Perisic; Mandzukic, Jelavic

Spain: Casillas; Juanfran, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Fabregas
Silva, Xavi, Iniesta; Llorente

Sports Mole says: 1-3

ID:31264: cacheID:31264:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3907:
Written by
Robert Summerscales

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Slaven Bilic
Read Next:
Bilic condemns racist fans
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!