Tournament: UEFA Nations League A
Venue: Stadion Rajko Mitic (Belgrade)
Date & Kick-Off Time: 2024.09.05, 14:45
Serbia will host Spain in the first round of the UEFA Nations League A on September 5, 2024. The home team will look to challenge Spain, who are riding high on their recent success, while the visitors will aim to maintain their momentum in this competitive tournament.
Key Statistics and Trends
- Serbia: Has won only 1 of their last 5 matches.
- Spain: Unbeaten in 9 consecutive matches and has scored in all of their last 10 games.
- First-Half Performance: Serbia wins the first half in 30% of matches, while Spain does so in 52%.
Possible Line-Ups
Serbia:
- Goalkeeper: Rajković
- Defenders: Pavlović, Milenković, Veljković
- Midfielders: Živković, Lukić, Samardžić, Milinković-Savić, Ilić, Maksimović
- Forward: Mitrović
Spain:
- Goalkeeper: Raya
- Defenders: Grimaldo, Laporte, Vivian, Cucurella
- Midfielders: Merino, Zubimendi, Baena
- Forwards: Oyarzabal, Ayoze Pérez, Ferran Torres
Head-to-Head Matches
The only previous encounter between Spain and Serbia as independent nations was a friendly match in 2012, where Serbia secured a 2-0 victory. However, that result is unlikely to have much bearing on this competitive fixture.
Team Overview and Form
Serbia ("The Yugos"):
Under coach Dragan Stojković, Serbia has experienced mixed fortunes. After qualifying for the World Cup, they struggled in Qatar and failed to progress beyond the group stage. Their recent performances have been inconsistent, including a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign where they failed to advance from their group. Serbia enters this match with several key players, such as Tadić, Gudelj, and Kostić, not included in the squad, leaving Mitrović to lead their attack.
Spain ("La Furia Roja"):
Spain has been in excellent form since Luis de la Fuente took over as head coach, winning both the UEFA Nations League in 2023 and the Euro 2024 title. Despite key players like Nacho, Jesús Navas, and Joselu retiring, Spain still boasts a talented squad with depth in every position. De la Fuente has shown a willingness to experiment with the lineup, and Spain will likely approach this match with a balance of youth and experience.
Tactical Analysis and Predictions
- Serbia: Serbia will likely focus on a disciplined defensive approach, relying on counter-attacks and the physical presence of Mitrović to challenge Spain’s backline. Midfielders Milinković-Savić and Lukić will be key in maintaining possession and creating chances.
- Spain: Spain will dominate possession and play their usual high-tempo passing game. The creativity of Baena, Merino, and Ferran Torres will be crucial in breaking down Serbia’s defense. They will look to take control early and capitalize on any defensive lapses from the hosts.
Betting Prediction
Given Spain’s current form and Serbia’s inconsistency, an away victory is a solid betting option, with odds of 1.6.
Prediction: Spain to win (odds: 1.6).
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