Best Odds: 11/8
Bookmaker:
With all eyes falling on Berlin this weekend, Spain and England will meet in this summer’s European Championship final.
Spain
Starting with Spain, only continuing on what has been a real EURO 24 romp this summer, La Roja have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the continent. Collecting another heavyweight scalp on Tuesday night as they secured a thrilling 2-1 victory against former world champions France, Luis de la Fuente s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Opening their European adventure on June 15th with a thumping 3-0 win against World Cup bronze medalists Croatia, Spain have won all of their six appearances this summer and have laid down quite the marker. Sending host nation Germany packing last week as they secured a dramatic 2-1 victory in extra-time, La Roja have certainly been the standout squad this summer. Getting their hands on a maiden Nations League crown 12 months ago, de la Fuente s men will once again be smelling a real opportunity on Sunday night.
Team News
Both serving their own respective one-match suspensions against France earlier in the week, the duo of Robin Le Normand and Real Madrid veteran Daniel Carvajal could make full returns on Sunday night. However, suffering a knee injury against host nation Germany on July 7th, Spain have already confirmed that Barcelona midfielder Pedri will not feature in Berlin.
Bagging a sensational strike against Les Bleus in midweek and continuing to steal plenty of this summer’s headlines, 16-year-old record-breaker Lamine Yamal will play a leading role here. Likewise, now finding the net in all of his last three EURO 24 appearances, RB Leipzig ace Dani Olmo also offers plenty of threat in the final third.
England
As for England, while the Three Lions might have largely flattered to deceive this summer, Gareth Southgate’s side have reached consecutive European finals for the first time in their history. Mounting what was another astonishing comeback on Wednesday night as they snatched the most dramatic of 2-1 victories against the Netherlands, that is remarkably just the second win that they have recorded in 90 minutes so far this summer. Often reliant on individual pieces of brilliance during their charge to Berlin, they are now just one game away from getting their hands on a first piece of international silverware since 1966. Although England might be bracing themselves for a heavyweight challenge on Sunday night, they will be excited by their most recent showdowns against La Roja. Claiming a sensational 3-2 victory when they travelled to Sevilla while in Nations League action in 2018, they will be desperate to spring one final upset in Berlin.
Team News
While Ollie Watkins might have come off the bench and bagged that iconic last-gasp winner against Holland in midweek, Harry Kane will keep his spot leading out the Three Lions on Sunday night. Returning from a long-term muscle injury last week, Manchester United defender Luke Shaw could make a first EURO 24 start in Berlin.
Making a full return on Wednesday night after serving a one-match suspension against Switzerland, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi will partner John Stones at the heart of Southgate’s defence. Despite notching a single strike over in Germany this summer, Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka will have a leading role to play this weekend.
Key Factors to Consider
