The final team in our analysis of Group B is the defending champions, Spain. Vicente del Bosque’s men get their campaign underway with a repeat of the 2010 World Cup Final against Holland on Friday June 13 at 8pm, before squaring up to Mexico five days later at 8pm and then facing the rank outsiders, Australia, on Monday June 23 at 5pm:
Road to Qualification
The Spanish topped a five-team group including France, Finland, Georgia and Belarus after winning six and drawing two of their eight fixtures. Defensively-sound, they registered five clean sheets and conceded just three goals, though they were relatively unimpressive at the other end of the pitch – scoring just 14 times, they netted more than twice on just one occasion, with a 4-0 win over Belarus.
Most Starts Sergio Ramos (8), Xavi, Sergio Busquets (7), Andres Iniesta, Pedro, Alvaro Arbeloa (6), Iker Casillas, Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, David Silva, Cesc Fabregas (5)
Most Goals Pedro (4), Alvaro Negredo (3), Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba (2)
Most Assists Cesc Fabregas (3), David Silva, Pedro (2)
The Key Targets
Recent friendly matches suggest Del Bosque’s side are struggling to rediscover their rhythm ahead of next month’s tournament. A narrow 2-1 win over Equatorial Guinea was followed by defeat to South Africa before the Spaniards edged past Italy 1-0 in Diego Costa’s first appearance up front. Last year’s 3-0 Confederations Cup Final defeat at the hands of Brazil perhaps hinted that some of Del Bosque’s ageing squad could struggle in the conditions but the manager is likely to stay true to his tried and trusted regulars.
At the back, Spain don’t have their problems to seek. Iker Casillas played just two league games for Real Madrid all season and has had to rely on cup competitions for minutes – he is available for 6.2 inFantasyiTeam. Alvaro Arbeloa is now retired, with Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta likely to take over the right-back berth, whilst Barcelona pair Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba (both priced at 6.4 in FantasyiTeam) have been blighted by injury and made just 26 and 14 starts in La Liga last season respectively. Azpilicueta should benefit from a lower price across the Fantasy games and is available for 5.9 inFantasyiTeam, though Alba, along with Sergio Ramos, netted twice during the qualifiers and carries a real threat down the left. Ramos arrives in fine form, having scored six times for Real Madrid this season, and costs 6.3 of your FantasyiTeam budget.
In the centre, Sergio Busquets offers little in the way of going forward and his appeal is limited to those games which reward defensive contributions. Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Alonso will surely continue as mainstays in Del Bosque’s XI; the former two are similarly-priced in FantasyiTeam at 7.4 and 7.6 respectively, with the Real Madrid man setting you back 6.0. Up top, Diego Costa – providing he can fully recover from a hamstring complaint – is the in-form forward at Spain’s disposal, having notched 27 times in La Liga for Atletico Madrid; his recent form is reflected in his price, though, with Costa setting you back 9.9 in FantasyiTeam.
The Long Shots
Top scorer in qualification with four goals and a pair of assists, Pedro started all but one of the last seven group games. The Barcelona star notched 15 times in the recent league campaign and could remain under the radar as many opt for Costa instead – certainly, he’s kinder on the budget at 8.7 in FantasyiTeam.
Both Cesc Fabregas and David Silva (7.2 and 7.5 in FantasyiTeam) started five of the qualifiers and produced three and two assists respectively. Neither are nailed-on in the first XI, though there’s every chance the former could operate as a “false nine” if Costa’s injury problems re-surface – the City man looks more of a punt but could still prove a canny acquisition off the bench if Del Bosque’s team are struggling to break down opponents.
Further Analysis
Group A – Brazil,Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico
Group B – Australia, Chile, Holland
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