Our prediction for this match:
Spain
Match Time & Date:
08/06/2024
21:30
Prediction: 3-0
Northern Ireland
After rolling over Andorra 5-0 in their last friendly, Spain will be aiming to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they face Northern Ireland in their last pre-EURO-2024 game. Real Sociedad ace Mikel Oyarzabal should be recalled to the starting XI after scoring a hat-trick against Andorra, with his teammate Robin Le Normand pushing for a start as well. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team ahead of the visit of Northern Ireland.
The Green and White Army, on the other hand, welcome back both Jonny and Corry Evans to the squad, but the duo is unlikely to help the team avoid defeat Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. In their last meeting on the international stage, back in 2007, Spain defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 and we predict that history is going to repeat itself. A man to watch in the away team will be Liverpool defender Conor Bradley, who has 15 caps for Northern Ireland.
Highlighted Player (Koke):
Jorge Resurreccion Merodio “Koke” has enjoyed a meteoric rise after coming through the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid, quickly becoming an important player for both club and country. Possessing impressive technical skills and very mature for his age, the highly rated midfielder is capable of covering just about any position in the middle of the park and he has been used as a central midfielder, left winger and right winger by both Diego Simeone and Vicente Del Bosque.
Koke has been a key member of one of the best generations in the history of Atletico Madrid, winning the 2013/2014 La Liga trophy and reaching the Champions League final the same year. Widely regarded as one of Europe’s best midfielders, it is only a matter of time before Koke will join an absolute top club and he is believed to be a primary target for La Liga rivals Barcelona.
While playing alongside Xavi Hernandez at the 2014 World Cup, Koke is believed to be a worthy successor of the former Catalans star in the national team now that he has retired, and with 20 Spain caps to his name, his international career is just starting.
Highlighted Team (Northern Ireland):
Competing first under the Irish flag and then as an independent entity, Northern Ireland are one of world’s oldest national teams, but they haven’t enjoyed too much success in history. Led by Danny Blanchflower, the Irish impressed at their first ever World Cup finals appearance, reaching the quarter-finals in 1958, but they have since only played at the 1982 and 1986 tournaments, reaching round 2 and crashing out in the group stage respectively.
Northern Ireland had failed to qualify for 13 successive European Championship finals before finally booking their ticket to the Euro 2016 in France, and the fans hope this success will only be a sign of things to come. Without a doubt, George Best is the most famous footballer to have ever put on the green shirt, scoring 9 goals in 37 appearances, but he couldn’t help the national team close the gap behind Europe’s top sides.
Some of the other high-profile footballers include Pat Jennings, Aaron Hughes, David Healy, Keith Gillespie, Steven Davies and Gareth McAuley.
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
Manchester United 
Everton
Tottenham
Fulham
Real Madrid 
Getafe
Liverpool
Man City 
Lecce 
Juventus 
