UEFA Nations League A
Match between Spain and Serbia and more information
The next match is a World Cup qualifier in Madrid against Sweden on November 16th, 2021, followed by friendly matches against Italy on November 19th, 2021, Germany on November 23rd, 2021 In another UEFA Nations League encounter, Spain will play Serbia on the 15th of October, 2024, at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel. Spain arrive in this friendly match as outright favourites; they sit second in this group and are in flow at the moment. On the other hand, Serbia is still unpredictable with both poor and great matches, the same goes to injuries of crucial players.
Spain proceed from a match against Denmark, where Spaniards won 1-0 having dominated the game with a 61% ball possession and 25 shots in detail. At the same time, the Serbian team defeated the Swiss side 2-0 courtesy of goals by Aleksandar Mitrovic. However, this win has resumed the Serbians irregular performances; especially when playing as their opponents’ guests makes them to be the underdogs in this match.
Key Stats & Insights
Spain have won 10 of their last 12 games. **Serbia have scored in the last 6 matches they have played but 4 of those has been goal less matches. Keeping with the last 20 games Spain have gone 9 games on the record without conceding a goal or a clean sheet.The last three away matches have been a bitter moment for Serbia having been defeated in all the games.
Team Form and Performance
Spain has been more influential in the recent matches, taking 9 out of 10 friendly and competitve matches. They’ve scored 2 goals per game and only allowing 0.5 per game on average. They have been using Fabian Ruiz as their key scorer, and before injury set in, Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata had been useful assets.
Serbia observed few fluctuations and scored only three victories in ten recent games. Aleksandar Mitrovic stays their leading scorer with 6 goals but they have problems with ball control in the different matches including the confrontations with the strongest rivals.
Head-to-Head Records
Spain and Serbia both teams played at end of September 2024, it was goalless draw but as per head to head history and over all performance of both the teams and Spanish territory over Serbian in this match there would be different tale to tell. Spain has the better of them with 1 win and 3 draws in the four last match-ups.
Player Form and Availability
Spain will largely depend on Alvaro Morata for goals, with Pedri and Fabian Ruiz as the heart of the midfield. Morata has shown himself to be dangerous in front of goal while Fabian Ruiz has been one of Spain’s best players scoring four goals in the last 10 official games.
However, youngster Lamine Yamal has pulled out of the squad because of an injury doubt which will reduce the impact of Spain’s foremost attack line. Yamal has given 5 assist in the latest matches and his triangular movements have been crucial for Spain in the search of space behind the defence where he create opportunities for his teammates and his absence could mean that Spanish side could lack creativity from the wide areas. This could mean another added impetus towards freedom for the likes of Mikel Oyarzabal, and Alejandro Baena to deliver the required width, and creativity.
The presence of Serbia’s star man Aleksandar Mitrovic is a bonus but the Balkan side are without key players such as Dusan Vlahovic and Sasa Lukic.
Predicted Lineups
Spain (4-2-3-1):
David Raya; Pedro Porro, Dani Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucuarella; Martin Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz; Pedri, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alejandro Baena; Alvaro Morata.
Serbia (3-4-2-1):
Predrag Rajkovic; Strahinja Erakovic, Nikola Milenkovic, Strahinja Pavlovic; Veljko Birmancevic, Nemanja Maksimovic, Marko Grujic, Lazar Samardzic; Sasa Lukic; Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Market Analysis (Odds)
Spain are heavily tipped here at -270 that they will win with the implied probability of 73%. Serbia are the team which is on the other side of the rating line at +700. Punt bola that Spain will win to nil makes sense going by Serbia performance when it comes to scoring goals. Moreover, there is a possibility that the Under 2.5 Goals market can be considered since Serbia has been involved in low-scoring duels recently.
Predictions
- Correct Score Prediction: Spain 2-0 Serbia
- Betting Tip: Spain to win @ -270
- Value Bet: Spain to win to nil @ -135
Without Yamal, it may be more difficult for Spain to break through Serbia’s defense line but they have the necessary squad and quality to score a win. One must predict a inhibited display and it would be prudent to oppose a clean sheet win for Spain.