MX23RW : Tuesday, December 17 12:31:09| >> :600:289150:289150:

Preview: Spain vs. Italy

Preview: Spain vs. Italy
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews holders Spain's Euro 2012 Group C opener against Italy in Gdansk on Sunday.

Holders Spain kick off the defence of their European Championship title on Sunday when they take on Italy in Group C at the PGE Arena in Gdansk.

The world champions are hoping to clinch a record third consecutive international title out in Poland and the Ukraine, while the Azzurri are aiming to secure their first Euro triumph since 1968.

Spain are quite rightly the favourites to lift the trophy come the end of the tournament, while question marks have been raised over the Italians after losing three friendlies on the bounce.

Cesc Fabregas should be fit and available for Spain following a hamstring problem, while Alvaro Arbeloa and Jesus Navas have shaken off minor knocks.

However, Barcelona duo Carles Puyol and David Villa have been ruled out of the tournament with long-term injuries.

Giuseppe Rossi is an absentee for Cesare Prandelli's men and Domenico Criscito has been excluded following another match-fixing scandal back home.

Elsewhere, Andrea Barzagli will miss the opening two matches with a calf strain.

Current form:

Spain: LDWWWW
Italy: DWWLLL

Possible lineups:

Spain: Casillas; Ramos, Pique, Albiol, Arbeloa; Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta; Silva; Torres

Italy: Buffon; Balzaretti, Bonucci, Maggio, Ogbonna; Montolivo, De Rossi, Motta, Marchisio, Pirlo; Balotelli

Sports Mole says: 2-0

ID:30326: cacheID:30326:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2568:
Written by
Jack Prescott

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Gerard Pique
Read Next:
Pique: 'We must stop Balotelli'
>
Read more about Spain Italy Euro 2012 Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!