Pre-match Predictions : Group C comes to an end tonight with Spain, Croatia & Italy battling it out for the two qualification spots.
Spain meet Croatia with the winner topping the Group. There is a twist though as a 2-2 draw can send both through as having scored most goals in the head to head battles. As I've already said, what was wrong with Goal Difference?
With Spain you know what you are going to get. They will have 60-70% possession & it's normally a matter of if they can break teams down or not.
Torres starts again & in the 2 games so far Spain have looked better when he was on the pitch.
He should have his confidence back after a brace against Ireland & with guys like Xavi, Silva & Iniesta providing the ammunition he could well add to his tally tonight.
Croatia have made a few changes & appear to have lined up more defensively. Jelavic has been left out which is unfortunate as I think the way to tackle Spain is to fight them on the front foot.
Croatia will have to be very strong defensively to get a result & it's something I don't believe they have in them.
Italy know that a win over Ireland & A Spain or Croatia victory will see them into the last 8.
They too have made some changes & appear to have abandoned the 3 at the back formation.
Balotelli misses out too which I am surprised at as he has looked sharp so far. If Italy play the way they can it should be a comfortable win & then they can keep one eye on the Spain v Croatia match.
Ireland have nothing to play for tonight other than pride. They have been very disappointing so far & it could be time to say goodbye to some stalwarts after this tournament.
Regardless the Irish can be proud that they got here & hopefully lessons can be learned for hopefully another try in 4 years time.
Spain 3-0 Croatia
Italy 2-0 Ireland
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