Spain vs. Czech Republic: Live Stream, Odds and Form Guide for Euro 2016
Spain begin the defence of their UEFA European Championship crown on Monday, and the Czech Republic face the daunting task of attempting to derail the holders in their Group D opener.
However, the Czechs will feel now is as good a time as any to upset manager Vicente del Bosque's side after Spain suffered a 1-0 defeat to Georgia in their final warm-up match.
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Czech Republic head coach Pavel Vrba also saw his men suffer a loss in their final warm-up outing, though, when they were beaten 2-1 at home to South Korea, whom Spain battered 6-1 just four days prior to that.
Group D promises to be one of the most open and evenly challenged pools in this year's competition, and we've provided all the necessary viewing information for Spain's opening tie, complete with preview and betting tips.
Date: Monday, June 13
Time: 2 p.m. BST/9 a.m. ET
Venue: Stadium Municipal, Toulouse
Live Stream: ITV Player (UK), Watch ESPN (US)
TV Info: ITV (UK), ESPN (US)
| Spain Win | 10-19 |
| Draw | 3-1 |
| Czech Republic Win | 5-1 |
| Spain to win both halves | 14-5 |
| L vs. Georgia (0-1) | L vs. South Korea (1-2) |
| W vs. South Korea (6-1) | W vs. Russia (1-2) |
| W vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina (3-1) | W vs. Malta (6-0) |
| D vs. Romania (0-0) | D vs. Sweden (1-1) |
| D vs. Italy (1-1) | L vs. Scotland (0-1) |
Odds available in full via Odds Shark and accurate as of June 12 at 11 p.m. BST.
Spain in Fight to Find Form
A far cry from the team that won three major tournaments in the space of four years—including both Euro 2008 and Euro 2012—Spain have cut an altogether less confident or consistent figure of late.
Georgia's 1-0 friendly win over the 2010 world champions may well be the best result in their history, and as Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC attested, it comes as Spain enter a tough group at Euro 2016:
That being said, Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke has assured fans the friendly loss will have no bearing on Spain's European Championship, per Goal's David Manuca:
"We are the same. We continue with the same atmosphere and we are raring to train and play our first game. The other day we had an accident, but nothing happens. We had a lot of chances but we just couldn't score one. We hope things improve.
We have a lot of players who can score and a lot of quality up top. Against Korea we scored six, and none against Georgia. The most important thing is not to lose at the Euros.
"
Spain fans will hope a competitive environment revives the best in La Furia Roja, who have won just twice in their last five games, including draws with Italy and Romania in March.
Group D combatants Croatia and Turkey each showed flashes of flair on Sunday, where the former won 1-0, and Spain will know the slightest slip in their pool could see them struggle to top their section.
Spain to Win, Both Teams to Score: 3-1
Spain are the overriding favourites to beat the Czech Republic on Monday, but picking their most obvious goal threat is a difficult choice, considering their goals often come from all over the field.
The Mirror's Alex Richards backed up Corrigan and enthused prior to the tournament that Group D would be a tight one, picking out midfield talent as a particular strength among its sides:
Juventus forward Alvaro Morata seems likely to lead the line for Spain, and he's priced at 4-1 to be first on the scoresheet, per Oddschecker. Alternatively, bettors could go one further and back Morata to score with Spain to record at win at 5-1.
However, with Spain's goals coming from all over the pitch at present—five players have scored their last seven goals—it may be simpler to back the result.
Spain to win and both teams to score is currently priced at 3-1, per Oddschecker, while the more adventurous may be tempted to back the draw with both teams to score, slightly further out at 5-1.
