Euro Zone - day three
SUNDAY'S MATCHES
The best international team on the planet begin their search for an historic treble as Spain take on Italy in a huge Group C contest against Italy.
It's been a slightly concerning build up for the European and world champions with record goalscorer David Villa and inspirational defender Carles Puyol both injured, although that is nothing compared to the troubled times for an Italian side who have been fighting against another round of match-fixing allegations.
Both teams are still expected to qualify for the knockout phase but Ireland and Croatia will have something to say about that and whoever wins the contest in Poznan will be in a superb position to make the quarter-finals.
Best bet
A low-scoring stalemate looks the best bet when Italy and Spain face off in a heavyweight contest. Italy conceded only two goals in qualifying and it may be difficult for Spain to break them down with David Villa sidelined.
Longshot
It is only logical to expect a close game between Ireland and Croatia and the bet could be no goalscorer. Ireland are expertly managed by Giovanni Trapattoni and he can set them up to stifle Croatia star man Luka Modric, while the countries have already played out a 0-0 bore draw in Dublin this season.
Key stats
Italy conceded the fewest goals in qualifying (two)
Spain have lost two of their last 45 competitive matches
Eleven of Ireland's last 13 matches have featured under 2.5 goals
Twelve different players scored for Croatia in qualifying
Daily correct-score double
Each day we ask the Racing Post's top football tipsters for their Euro 2012 predictions and all four are expecting a tight tussle between Ireland and Croatia in Poznan.
Dan Childs - Spain 2 Italy 1, Ireland 0 Croatia 0
Steve Davies - Spain 1 Italy 1, Ireland 1 Croatia 1
Mark Langdon - Spain 1 Italy 1, Ireland 0 Croatia 0
Ian Wilkerson - Spain 1 Italy 0, Ireland 1 Croatia 1
Buy the Racing Post every day of the European Championship for unbeatable analysis, stats and betting advice on every match
Also in Sunday's RPSPORT - brilliant betting advice on the rest of the day's football, the French Open men's final, Canadian GP, all the Super League and rugby league action and the CB40 cricket coupon
