Focus Fixture: Scott Thornton's 6/1 Bet Builder for the Euro 2024 Final

The Euro 2024 final sees England take on Spain in Berlin. Gareth Southgate’s side have the chance at redemption after losing the 2021 final to Italy.  Excitement has reached fever pitch with the Three Lions on the cusp of ending their 58-year wait for a major trophy.

The Form

Both teams are yet to taste defeat at the European Championships but Spain are in better form. La Roja have come through the more difficult half of the draw and have won five of their six matches in regulation time. 

Spain’s group saw them face the reigning champions in the form of Italy. They beat Luciano Spalletti’s side 1-0. Luis De La Fuente’s team also beat Croatia 3-0. In the knockout stages, they beat Georgia before edging past Germany. Spain vs the hosts was billed as the tournament’s two best teams going head-to-head and the game delivered. La Roja then had to come from behind to beat France in their semi-final.

England have been less convincing. Gareth Southgate has had to deal with criticism for the majority of the tournament but there was a massive improvement in the last round.

The Three Lions won their opening game against Serbia 1-0 but failed to kick on. Back-to-back draws with Denmark and Slovenia respectively meant they were fortunate to finish top of the group. England needed an overhead kick at the death to force extra time in the round of 16. Southgate’s team then came through a penalty shootout against Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Ollie Watkins scored the decisive goal in the semi-final against the Dutch and England are poised to improve once again. 

The Runners and Riders

Gareth Southgate opted to stick with the back three against the Netherlands and England produced some of their best football. The boss must decide whether or not to start Luke Shaw after the Manchester United man came on at half-time in the last game. There have also been some calls for Gareth to drop Harry Kane in favour of Ollie Watkins but that would be a bold call. 

Spain were without Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand against France due to suspension but they are available once again for the final their presence will be a huge boost for Luis De La Fuente. Dani Olmo, the man who has scored three goals in the knockout stages should feature as the number 10. 

What They Said

Gareth Southgate was immensely proud of the players and his achievement following the win over the Netherlands but admitted the criticism has been hard. He said,  "We all want to be loved, right? So when you’re doing something for your country and you’re a proud Englishman, when you don’t feel that back and when all you read is criticism, it’s hard.”

Luis De La Fuente praised his player’s work ethic after the semi-final win. The Spain boss said, “Individually they are fantastic, but they make the collective benefit from their individual qualities. They always work for the common good, they are generous in their efforts, and this is just one more sign that this is an insatiable team that wants to keep improving.”

Selection

Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a key player for England at this tournament. He played just four minutes in the Three Lions’ opening two group matches but his stellar performance off the bench in the final group game against Slovenia meant he has started the three knockout games for England. 

Mainoo made his Premier League debut in February 2023 but he had to wait to make his mark for Manchester United. An injury in pre-season delayed his breakout season but he retuned to action in October. He has been key for Erik Ten Hag. Kobbie is an asset with and without the ball. The midfielder has the dribbling ability and shooting prowess to cause problems for the opposition defence. His range of passing makes him a crucial cog in the midfield but it is his ability without the ball we are focusing on here.

The 19-year-old made an average of 2.2 tackles per 90 minutes played in the league last season. His willingness to get stuck in is a huge asset for England as they aim to take the game to the opposition. Mainoo was busy off the ball against the Netherlands. He made two interceptions and most importantly, two tackles. Kobbie also hit the two-tackle mark in the quarter-final against Switzerland.

Spain are the most tackled team at Euro with their opponents making over 20 tackles per game. France’s starting centre-midfielders combined for a total of seven tackles in their last game despite two of them being subbed off around the hour mark.

Recommended Bet: Over 1.5 tackles for Kobbie Mainoo @ 1.78

Bet Builder Tip

Kobbie Mainoo also features in our bet builder tip but this time we are backing him to be carded. His combative role in the team puts him at risk of a card. Mainoo picked up three yellow cards in the Premier League last season. He has already been carded in this tournament. 

Both Germany and France had a centre-midfielder booked in their knockout clashes with Spain.  This match is being built by some as Rodri vs Mainoo. Manchester United ended Rodri’s unbeaten run for City in the FA Cup final and Mainoo was booked in that clash. The midfielder has the chance to end Rodri’s unbeaten run at international level. 

Our other betting angle in this bet builder is Marc Cucurella to make at least two fouls in the match. The left-back endured a torrid season at Chelsea but has played well for Spain at this tournament. Nevertheless, his defensive frailties remain and will be engaged in a feisty battle with Bukayo Saka here. The Chelsea defender has made two fouls in his last two games against Saka.

At Euro 2024, Cucurella has made a foul in every match with an average of 1.3 per 90 minutes played. 

Recommended Bet: Kobbie Mainoo to be carded and over 1.5 fouls for Marc Cucurella at 7.00