Spain's Mata wary of Croatia's quality

Both sides still need something from the match to be sure of reaching the semi-final stage, with Italy two points behind them and favourites to beat already eliminated Republic of Ireland.

Chelsea midfielder Mata will be facing plenty of familiar players from the Premier League, with Luka Modric, Vedran Corluka. Niko Kranjcar and Nikica Jelavic all based in England, and he knows it will be a tough match.

"Croatia are playing very well," Mata said to Marca TV.

"They have very good players that I know from the Premier League.

"Luka Modric is dangerous and we will have to keep a close eye on him."

Croatia opened its EURO 2012 campaign with a 3-1 win over Republic of Ireland and then came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Italy.

Spain, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with Italy and brushed aside the Irish 4-0.

The 24-year-old Mata was among the goalscorers in the win.

He expects his team to take three points against Croatia, a result that would see the defending champion progress to the last eight as the top team in Group C.

"We are going for the win," Mata said. "That is what we always do.

"We are in good form and looking forward to play this third game.

"We know the fans are enthusiastic and they expect another win."

Modric, meanwhile, expects a very difficult game against Spain.

"It's going to be very tough," he said. "Both sides will want to prove their worth."

Anything but a win for Italy against Ireland in the other group game would see Croatia join Spain in the quarter-finals.

Should Croatia and Spain draw and score at least four goals between them, Italy would not be able to catch them.

But a draw is not on the minds of the Croatian players.

"We will play as though this was any other game, trying to win,"Jelavic said. "We will not make any calculations or will we focus on what is happening elsewhere.

"For me, Spain and Germany are the favourite sides to win the title but the time has come for one of them to be eliminated."