Very busy schedule for FIFA today. All 16 teams who will be contesting the UEFA EURO 2008 are playing friendlies on an evening featuring no fewer than 27 matches throughout Europe.
Five of these games will see UEFA Euro 2008 teams going head to head, with Spain's match-up against Italy probably the stand-out fixture as the 16 participating nations enter the home straight, 10 weeks before the tournament starts.
The six other countries involved have also chosen high-quality opposition, with France at home to an England team eager to turn the page after missing out on the EURO, and Sweden facing Brazil. This is the final round of friendlies before coaches name their 23-man squads for the tournament, which need to be submitted to UEFA by 29 May.
The big game
Spain-Italy
Wednesday 26 March, 22h00, Martinez Valero Stadium in Elche
The veteran trio of Gianluigi Buffon, Gennaro Gattuso and Mauro Camoranesi will all be back for Italy's match in Elche against Spain. Coach Roberto Donadoni has decided to do without Alessandro Del Piero however, in a match which will see the fourth-placed team in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking host the country one spot above them in third.
Luis Aragones has again ignored Real Madrid striker Raul but will likely be giving caps to three debutants: 22-year-old Getafe midfielder Ruben De La Red, Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa and Mallorca's Fernando Navarro, who has figured in previous squads without actually playing. Having beaten France 1-0 on 6 February, victory over the other FIFA World Cup finalist would certainly be a feather in the Spanish coach's cap.
Usual Spain national team is able to create many chances of scoring on their friendlies even if the names called are not very fammiliars to a soccer fan,Today they will play against a very tacticized team with a classic defensive style.I really don't understand why Raul fro Spain or Del Pierro at italy still have problems in being called.For sure this decisions will boost the fans.
I don't think that today will not have here two goals and the odd is higher enough for a good stake.I am afraid like other punters to bet on results for friendlies.From my past experience,a lot of games are ending in draws.
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stake: 10/10
picks: 1X
odds: 1.45
bookmaker: Gamebookers
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