Spain vs England Prediction: Back Bellingham to make his mark in Berlin

Sunday will see England get the opportunity to make amends for their penalty shootout defeat to Italy three years ago as they take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

The Three Lions have rarely dazzled in Germany, unlike La Roja who have won all six games by playing some scintillating football. Yet England have shown great resilience and passion to score some late goals, including a 91st-minute winner in Wednesday’s semi-final against the Netherlands to seal their spot in the showpiece.

England were favourites going into the tournament but Spain – who negotiated a much tougher route to the final by beating Italy, Croatia, Germany and France – are favoured to lift the trophy this weekend.

Team news

Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand were suspended for Spain’s semi-final win over France but both should come back into the defence for Sunday’s match.

Pedri is still out, however, meaning Golden Boot-chasing Dani Olmo will get the chance to start in midfield once more.

England have no suspension or injury worries, meaning Gareth Southgate could name an unchanged starting side from the one which beat the Netherlands.

The Three Lions’ only natural left-back, Luke Shaw, played the entire second half against the Dutch and many fans will be hoping to see him start in the final ahead of Kieran Trippier.

Tip 1 - Both teams to score @ 49/50

No side at Euro 2024 has scored more goals than Spain (13) and they are good value for that tally given that they are well ahead in the expected goals chart too.

La Roja have racked up 11.2 expected goals, one clear of second-best Germany, highlighting just how effective their attacking play has been.

Luis de la Fuente made a bold call to stray from Spain’s traditional possession-based approach in favour of a more dynamic style, with his formation including two natural wingers, something which has rarely been seen in the national side.

Lamine Yamal, scorer of arguably the goal of the tournament against France, and Nico Williams have excelled out wide while the runs of Fabian Ruiz and Olmo have provided a constant threat from midfield.

Spain are an excellent attacking side and it is difficult to envisage England, who have kept only two clean sheets in their six Euro 2024 matches, keeping them at bay on Sunday.

However, the Three Lions have looked far more cohesive in attack since Southgate’s decision to switch to a fluid 3-4-3 formation, and their passing patterns in forward areas on Wednesday caused plenty of issues for the Dutch.

With Harry Kane starting and dangerous attackers Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins waiting in the wings, England have the striking options to hurt Spain and that is without mentioning Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, all of whom can contribute in attack.

Both teams to score has been a winning bet in all six of the pair's combined knockout matches as well as in the last three meetings between the finalists.

Take both teams to find the net in the German capital this weekend.

Tip 2 - Jude Bellingham to score @ 23/4

Many England fans were expecting Bellingham to light up Euro 2024 after his 23-goal debut season with Real Madrid.

While that has not quite been the case, he has still enjoyed a solid tournament and has given the Three Lions a moment they will remember for a long time, especially if Southgate’s men go on to lift the trophy.

With an embarrassing round-of-16 exit on the cards as England trailed Slovakia 1-0 heading into stoppage time, Bellingham stepped up with a stunning overhead kick to force extra time, highlighting his proficiency for leaving his mark on the biggest stage.

The Madrid midfielder netted an El Clasico brace earlier this term to land a 2-1 win over Barcelona and then scored the winner in the reverse fixture with Los Blancos’ bitter rivals, showing how little he feels pressure.

Bellingham scored the winning goal in England’s opener against Serbia with a superb header, with his height and late arrivals into the box a tactic Southgate may look to exploit against Spain.

All three goals La Roja have conceded at Euro 2024 have come via crosses. The first was an own goal, the second came from a knockdown and the most recent was a terrific Randal Kolo Muani header, so Bellingham looks a big price to net in Berlin on Sunday.