Under de la Fuente, Spain played like royalty: within his first six months, they won the Nations League, and in 2024, they convincingly claimed the Euro title. Last year was tougher. After barely defeating the Netherlands on penalties in March, the favorites lost to Portugal on penalties in the Nations League final, despite leading twice. However, they followed up with five consecutive clean-sheet wins in qualifying, only drawing 2-2 with Turkey, who finished second, in the final match.
Under Stojković, Serbia appeared at the last World Cup and the Euros, though without wins or progressing past the group stage. They also managed to rise to Division A in the Nations League and remained there. However, last year they missed out on second place in their group by just one point, losing mainly to their main rivals, Albania. In November, Paunović took over as head coach; under him, they lost to England but beat Latvia.
The European champions average 3.3 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per match. Jović and his teammates have a marginally positive ratio, averaging 1.2 goals scored and 1.1 conceded per game.
Previous Matches: Spain vs Serbia
There have been three encounters in total. Spain won their friendly in 2012 and took four out of six possible points in the Nations League two years ago.
The hosts remain clear favorites. Our prediction is a win for Spain with a -1.5 goal handicap (odds – 1.86).
Spain vs Serbia: Key Statistics and Trends
Spain have won five of their last six matches
50% of Spain’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per match is 4.6
Serbia have won two of their last three matches
30% of Serbia’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per match is 2.3
Spain vs Serbia: Probable Starting Lineups
Spain are likely to line up in a 1-4-3-3 formation (possible lineup): Unai Simón – Cucurella, Laporte, Cubarsí, Llorente – Fabián Ruiz, Rodri, Zubimendi – Olmo, Yamal, Oyarzabal. Carvajal, Aleix García, Merino, and many others have not been called up.
Serbia are expected to play in a 1-4-5-1 formation (possible lineup): Rajković – Kostić, Pavlović, Milenković, Eraković – Lukić, Gudelj, Kostić, Samardžić, Živković – Jović. Radonjić, Grujić, and Vlahović are absent.
