Spain U21 v Italy U21 Betting Tips: Celades’ men to maintain 100% record

Having finished the group stages as the only team in the competition to win all three of their matches, Spain come into this semi-final fixture against Italy as warm favourites. Not only have they maintained a 100% record at these finals, but the Spaniards have played the most impressive football. It looks as though it will take a massive effort for anyone to stop them going all the way, let alone an Italian outfit who’ve been particularly underwhelming.

In somewhat farcical fashion, Italy earned the right to play in the semi-finals via a top place finish in Group C. Despite scoring less and conceding more, not to mention playing less pleasing football, the Italians finished ahead of Germany thanks to the head-to-head ruling. However, this first place finish shouldn’t pull the wool over anyone’s eyes and they’re expected to exit the tournament at the hands of a very strong Spain side. Backing ‘Spain to Win Half-Time/Full-Time’ is the angle of attack.

Of the four teams that remain, there probably won’t be too many people who disagree when I say that Spain have impressed the most. Not only do they appear to have a greater volume of top-class individual talent in their ranks, but they’ve played the best team game too. As Albert Celades’ men secured commanding victories against both Macedonia and Portugal, the likes of Marco Asensio and Saúl Ñíguez, who are currently first and second in the scoring charts, as well as the less fashionable but equally effective Marcos Llorente, stood out as players who’re simply to good for this level. It is having players of this calibre that makes the difference and this is why Spain can continue their march towards the final.

Italy’s squad also has it’s share of talented youngsters, some of which have gained experience playing first team football, but they just don’t stand out like the Spanish do. Beating a Danish side who didn’t turn up on match-day one didn’t leave the best impression, while they were soundly beaten by a Czech team who got on the front foot on match-day two. You could argue that beating Germany last time out means something, but considering that neither team looked to play football in a match that was nothing short of a joke, it probably doesn’t.

On top of having what looks a stronger XI, Spain come into this fixture off the back of a much longer recuperation period. Since Celades was able to make 11 changes for the final group match, Spain’s first choice line-up have enjoyed a full week’s rest and thus should come into this match in peak condition. In contrast, the Italians, who fielded a full strength side on Saturday night, have had far less time to recover.

All in all, based on what we’ve seen from these two at this tournament so far, there is little to suggest that the Italians have the required quality at either end of the pitch to stop a Spain team who’ve looked a cut above every time they’ve played. Backing the Spaniards to continue their 100% record of not only winning but winning having held a half-time lead is the way for punters to go.

England U21 v Germany U21 tips can be found here.