Betting.Betfair.com
·15 November 2024
Betting.Betfair.com
·15 November 2024
Dani Olmo helped Spain become European champions in the summer
Denmark v SpainFriday 15 November, 19:45Live on YouTube (Viaplay International)
"We are going to go out with the best possible team because we want to win and secure first place in the group."
So said Spain boss Luis de la Fuente on Thursday evening as he prepared for their Nations League showdown with Denmark, the side challenging them at the top of League A Group 4.
You'd expect Dani Olmo to be part of such an XI.
While the likes of Lamine Yamal and Rodri got plenty of plaudits at Euro 2024, Olmo was one of the unsung heroes.
His goal contributions have been excellent of late for the national side with five goals and two assists in his last nine international appearances.
Olmo has landed the 'to score or assist' bet in six of those nine and it's not as if he's been a flat-track bully as he's delivered against Brazil, Germany and France during that run.
It's been an injury-hit start to life at Barcelona but he's already managed five goals in six La Liga games since returning to his homeland from Leipzig.
OK, the Danes won't be an easy touch but I'm not sure this is the best game for them given new manager Brian Riemer, a former assistant to Thomas Frank at Brentford, is promising an attacking brand of football.
Push forward too much - tempting to do to impress the new boss in front of a home crowd - and even without the injured Yamal, Spain are more than capable of hitting them on the counter-attack where Olmo often shines.
I'll put Olmo to score or assist in with a card bet, namely Morten Hjulmand to be shown a card.
That's occurred in five of the midfielder's last 10 appearances for his country and he looks sure to be kept busy here with the likes of Olmo and Fabian Ruiz ready to operate in his area of the pitch.
Notably, Hjulmand was booked in the reverse fixture, won 1-0 by Spain, when Denmark committed 17 fouls - their most since the Euro 2020 semi-final against England (and that game went to extra time).
The choice of referee is encouraging.
Slovenian Rade Obrenovic has shown 6+ cards in five of his eight competitive internationals
Five cards were shown when these two met Murcia last month and if there's a repeat of that, I think there's a strong chance that the combative Hjulmand is one of those whose name is taken.
The double pays just shy of 8/1.
A couple of other potential legs are worth considering by those shooting for the stars.
The aforementioned Fabian Ruiz has featured in this column in the past regarding his shot-taking and he's now had 2+ shots in 13 of his last 16 Spain games. However, he has been an injury doubt for this contest and the worry is he may only start on the bench.
It may also be a busy night for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the Danish midfield.
The former Spurs man has committed 2+ fouls in five of his last 12 games for Denmark and so 15/8 about that happening again is tempting.
Back all four legs and you've got a 47/1 Bet Builder.
Staked: 123pts Returned: 141.43pts P/L: +18.43pts
2023/24 P/L: +16.78pts 2022/23 P/L: +68.69pts