Spain vs Liechtenstein betting preview

Spain: Qualifying Group Position 1st: Qualifying Group Form: WWWWW

World and European Champions Spain have unsurprisingly won all five of their group games so far, averaging three goals a game. Whether the FIFA rankings say so or not (Spain are second in the official rankings, behind Holland) this team is the best in the world, and one that will go down in history. Their superb style, Tiki Taka, is the envy of all sides.

Spain have not lost in 21 UEFA European Championship games since a 3-2 defeat by Northern Ireland in a UEFA EURO 2008 qualifier on 6 September 2006, five years to the day before this match kicks off.

They did lose to Italy in August and go two goals down to Chile on Friday, before winning 3-2 due to a late penalty, but each of those games saw weakened sides. Against Chile Manager Vicente Del Bosque was forced to place young midfielder Javi Martinez in defence, and Chile exposed this weakness. Even without Pique and Puyol Spain won, with the introduction Iniesta, Fabregas (who scored twice) and Pedro at half time turning the game on its head.

Liechtenstein: Qualifying Group Position: 5th, Qualifying Group Form: LLLWD

Ranked 118 in the world, it is clear that Liechtenstein will expect little from a clash with Spain. A 0-4 loss at home to Spain last September is sure to be fresh in the minds of those home fans as they are likely not to have seen better football played in front of them, albeit that the opposition were the purveyors of such stylish play.

They have never qualified for a major tournament, and will not this time either, but will be aiming to break a record of four consecutive bottom place finishes in European Championship qualifying, although that depends heavily on other results, and beating either Spain or Scotland in their last two games.

Having conceded four goals against Spain, they can be happy with only letting in another six in their next five qualifiers. They have, however got more points than goals, scoring only three times whilst accumulating four points.

It is also clear that teams with any real quality will roll over Liechtenstein, having conceded four against Spain, five against Croatia, three against Russia and four against Germany in recent years.

With Spain a certainty to win the game in 90 minutes, what are your best bets? Well, Liechtenstein have yet to register a goal against Spain, with the aggregate scoreline over the course of their meetings – qualifiers for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2008 as well as UEFA EURO 2012 – a comprehensive 17-0, and as such a clean sheet should be expected for Spain.

Expect Spain to score in both halves too; Liechtenstein have only once gone a whole half without conceding against the Spanish, holding firm for the final 76 minutes of a 2-0 loss in Vaduz on 6 June 2007.

Basically, expect a Spanish onslaught. David Villa will lead the line for the World Champions, and should find chances at his feet. He’ll be disappointed not to score.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 4.5 Goals – 1.6 BWin
First Goalscorer: David Villa – 3.00 BWin
Correct Score: 6-0 – 15.00 Paddy Power

Article by Chris Wilkerson

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