World soccer powers Spain and France both come in soaring as they prepare to meet for the title in the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League final Sunday at San Siro in Milan, Italy. France pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory on Thursday against Belgium after trailing 2-0 at the half, getting the winner in the 90th minute. Spain was the better team all day as it ended Italy’s 37-game unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday. The teams last met in a 2017 friendly, a 2-0 Spain victory, and its last competitive match was a 1-0 Spain win in 2014 World Cup Qualifying. It will be a clash of styles, pitting Spain’s probing possession approach against France’s lethal counter-attack.
Kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists France as the +150 favorite (risk $100 to win $150) in its latest Spain vs. France odds, with Spain the +200 underdog. A draw is priced at +220 and the over-under for total goals scored is set at 2.5. Before making any France vs. Spain picks or 2020-21 UEFA Nations League predictions, you need to check out what European soccer insider Martin Green has to say.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper. Since then, his European soccer picks have hauled in stunning profits. Green has generated well over $36,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season.
Now, Green has taken a close look at Spain vs. France from every possible angle and just released his coveted picks and analysis. You can visit SportsLine now to see all of Green’s expert soccer picks. Here are several odds and trends for France vs. Spain:
- Spain vs. France spread: France -0.5 (+130)
- Spain vs. France over-under: 2.5 goals
- Spain vs. France money line: Spain +200, France +150, Draw +220
- SPA: Mikel Oyarzabal has six goals and an assist in eight La Liga games this year
- FRA: Kylian Mbappe has 161 goals in 238 career club matches in all competitions
Why you should back France
Les Bleus are on a 15-game unbeaten run (9-6-0) after rallying for a galvanizing victory against Belgium. Tension has been dogging the squad in recent months, with family squabbles and the return of Karim Benzema from exile stirring up emotions. But Benzema and Kylian Mbappe are devastating finishers, and each scored a goal Thursday and threatened for more.
France is the reigning world champion and tends to thrive in big matches. This isn’t the Euro or World Cup final, but it’s a valuable piece of silverware. Antoine Griezmann is expected to make his 100th appearance, and a goal would put him alone in third on France’s all-time list ahead of Michel Platini. The French midfield is led by Paul Pogba, who has seven assists in seven matches with Manchester United this season. Raphael Varane is the top defender in front of Hugo Lloris, who has allowed just 1.09 goals per 90 minutes in his 10 seasons with Tottenham.
Why you should back Spain
Spain typically controls the ball for about three-quarters of the match, probing for its chance to strike. It held the ball for 75 percent of the win against Italy. Ferran Torres scored twice in the first half on crosses from Mikel Oyarzabal in that match, and that pair has sparked some life into a Spanish attack that had struggled. A midfield led by captain Sergio Busquets and Koke has been formidable and could find holes in a French defense that looked shaky against Belgium. Spain is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings, keeping Les Bleus off the score sheet in five of them.
The Spaniards will have an extra day of rest and will come in with confidence after ending Italy’s record run. The back line is loaded with talent, led by Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, Villareal’s Pau Torres and Man City’s Aymeric Laporte. It has looked like a new team since a 2-1 loss to Switzerland in World Cup qualifying last month. That broke a 14-game unbeaten run (6-8-0), and La Roja has outscored its past three opponents 8-1. Goalkeeper Unai Simon is expected to get the nod in net, and he has four clean sheets in six matches with Athletic Bilbao this season.
How to make UEFA Nations League picks for Spain vs. France
Green has broken down Sunday’s France vs. Spain match from every angle, and he is leaning over on the goal total. He also has revealed three confident best bets, one with a plus-money return, and has a complete analysis of this UEFA Nations League match. He’s only sharing his picks and best bets at SportsLine.
So, who wins Spain vs. France in Sunday’s matchup? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for the France vs. Spain match, all from the European soccer expert who has generated more than $36,000 for $100 bettors over the past four seasons, and find out.