Football Tips: Spain to sizzle v France in this 23/1 Nations League final Bet Builder

Our tipster Shane O'Brien weighs up a colossal clash.

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Spain’s rather unexpected win over Italy on Wednesday acted as a small slice of revenge for their heart-breaking Euro 2020 semi-final defeat but also showed once again that Spain are a coming force in European football. Spain were the best team that Italy faced en-route to their Euro 2020 triumph and Luis Enrique is slowly taking them out of the dark ages of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.

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LuisEnriqueSpainJun21

Sunday 7.45pm: Spain v France
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football

Spain to win

They fully merited their victory over Italy on Wednesday, bringing the Italian’s 37-game unbeaten run to an end in the process. They now face world champions France in Sunday’s Nations League final after the French launched a stunning comeback to beat Belgium 3-2 in Turin.

France, however, have not looked quite right since the start of Euro 2020 when they were underwhelming in all four of their games before their eventual exit against Switzerland. They have since drawn two World Cup qualifiers that they would have expected to win against Ukraine and Bosnia and were poor for large parts of Thursday’s win over Belgium before eventually mounting a sensational comeback.

Despite winning the World Cup, France lack a clear structure under Didier Dechamps and may be undone by a Spanish side that is quite clearly building towards something. Spain to Win kicks us off here.

Ferran Torres to score anytime

Ferran Torres’ two goals against Italy were the latest in what has been a stellar year of international goalscoring. The Manchester City forward has scored eight goals in 14 appearances for Spain this year, including six goals in his last six appearances.

His record of 12 international goals at the age of 21 is nothing to be sniffed at and he seems to have developed a penchant for scoring in the Nations League, scoring six goals during Spain’s current campaign. Torres will play as a de facto centre-forward in the absence of a recognised number nine and can hurt a French defence that has managed one clean sheet in its last seven games by scoring anytime.

Both teams to score

Spain’s recent defensive record has been almost as worrying as France’s. Enrique’s side almost conspired to throw away a game that they had been in total control of after some shocking late defending against Italy, while their defensive frailties saw them lose 2-1 against Sweden last month in a game that they similarly dominated.

Their defending at Euro 2020 also left a lot to be desired, especially in their thrilling 5-3 win over Croatia, and it is difficult to see them keeping a French side brimming with attacking quality at bay. Sunday’s final should be another entertaining instalment of the Nations League with Both Teams Scoring.

Kylian Mbappe to have 2 or more shots on target

Kylian Mbappe exorcised some Euro 2020 penalty demons by scoring from the spot against Belgium to bring France level on Thursday and he will have plenty of chances to continue his redemption against Spain on Sunday. Spain have conceded a minimum of three shots on target in every game since Euro 2020 despite enjoying at least 74% possession in each of those games.

It stands to reason that they will concede even more chances against a France side that should enjoy more possession and territory than the others. Mbappe, meanwhile, will be chief amongst France’s attacking threats.

The PSG forward averages 3.9 shots per game for his club this season and had five attempts in France’s win over Belgium. He also had 3.5 shots per game during Euro 2020 and should find the target with at least two efforts on Sunday night.

Spain v France Bet Builder

Spain to Win
Ferran Torres to Score Anytime
Both Teams To Score
Kylian Mbappe to Have 2 or More Thots on Target

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