Spain v Republic of Ireland (Group C)
14^th June 2012, 7.45pm, ITV1, at The PGE Arena, Gdańsk

An exciting encounter in store here between two teams that play an attacking brand of football, as reining European Champions Spain face the Republic of Ireland at the PGE Arena.

Spain are the strong favourites for this tie and understandably so, being ranked number one in the world and having won the last two major international competitions.

Tipsters Best Bet

Back Spain @ 4/11 with bet365

The Republic of Ireland are a very plucky side however and do have a number of players who are capable of performing at the very highest level. I’d certainly expect there to be goals during this one.

Spain are currently the best team in the world on the national stage and have been for the past four years. Before this golden period, the Spanish have underachieved as far as international football is concerned but victory at the 2008 European Championships followed by World Cup glory in 2010, put that tag well and truly behind them.

In qualifying for the 2012 European Championships, Spain continued their terrific record of recent times, with eight wins from eight games played, scoring twenty six goals in the process, and conceding just six.

The Republic of Ireland are playing in their first major tournament since 2002 here and with some of their big names stars reaching the end of their careers, they are sure to be desperate to put on a decent showing.

While Ireland might not have the strength in depth possessed by the Germans and the Spanish, they do have a fantastic team spirit and with a bit of luck, who knows what they may achieve at Euro 2012. That being said, I find it hard to envisage them taking any points from their Spanish opponents here.

Spain v Republic of Ireland Betting Odds (Prices from bet365)

Spain 4/11
Republic of Ireland 15/2
Draw 16/5

New customers can claim a £200 Free Bet by signing up to the bet365.com site through our links.

Bet now at bet365