Prediction: Spain vs Romania

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 11/8

Bookmaker: 888sport

Spain and Romania have both sealed their fates during the 2020 European Championship Qualifiers. While La Roja have already secured the top spot in Group F, Romania are in third place and won’t have a shot at reaching Sweden, who sit in second place with four more points. Spain will aim to end their qualifying run undefeated, while Romania will look to pull the upset on Spanish soil. Kick-off for this match at Wanda Metropolitano will be at 19:45 GMT.

Spain

La Furia Roja are coming off their biggest win in any competition since two back-to-back 8-0 wins during the 2018 World Cup qualification phase. They are coming off a huge 7-0 home win over UEFA minnows Malta the last time out, and Spain have looked absolutely impressive at home during the current European Championship Qualifiers — they have notched three straight wins “to nil” and, overall, own four wins in four matches thus far. Spain have also scored 16 goals in those four matches, while conceding just one time and keeping three straight clean sheets. Spain play this match knowing they have nothing to play for here, but they will undoubtedly attempt to finish their qualifying run on a very strong note. They certainly have enough talent on their current squad to secure three more points in front of their own crowd.

Team News

Spain won’t have two attacking threats ahead of this game, since both Adama Traore and Rodrigo have been ruled out from this match due to injury. Isco Alarcon, Jordi Alba and Dani Ceballos have not been included on the squad despite being first-team regulars over the last few months.

Romania

Romania knew they had one more chance to keep their qualifying chances alive earlier this month when they faced Sweden at home this past Friday. However, Romania were not able to come through when it mattered the most and Sweden stole a huge 2-0 away win, essentially ending Romania’s chances to reach the 2020 European Championships through a direct berth. That shouldn’t take anything away from their impressive qualifying campaign, though. In nine qualifying matches, Romania registered a W4, D2, L3 mark and currently sit in third place with 14 points. They have won just two of their last five qualifying contests, however. It’s clear they failed to perform when it mattered the most. They still have a shot at reaching the 2020 European Championship through the play-offs, however, so all hope is not lost for them. Winning against Spain on the road would make a statement win. One Romania need to bolster their confidence going forward.

Team News

Romania will have a huge absence upfront since Florin Andone missed the match against Sweden through injury. The Galatasaray striker won’t feature here, either. Cristian Ganea, Vlad Chiriches and Dragos Grigore have also been ruled out due to injury. They were not selected on the squad for this month’s matches.

Key Factors to Consider

• Spain have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three home European Qualifiers.
• Romania, on the other hand, have scored multiple goals in their last three European Qualifiers. They are coming off back-to-back away “to nil” wins.
• Spain’s four home matches during the current qualifying run have featured at least 2.5 goals scored.
• Three of the last five H2H meetings have had over 2.5 goals. Those three matches have also seen both sides scoring.
• Spain are on a five-game winning run at home. They have scored 17 goals while conceding just one over that span.

Conclusion

The last three European Qualifying matches between these two sides have featured at least 2.5 goals scored. Knowing both teams have nothing to play for, this contest could be a very open one. Expect this match to feature at least four total goals.

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 11/8

Bookmaker: 888sport