Greece vs Spain
11 November 1945hrs
Football – International – World Cup Qualification Europe
Pick Both teams to score
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Odds: 7/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 9 November
It’s a huge game in the race for qualification from Group B. Greece can go to within a point of second place Spain with a win whilst the visitors continue to chase leaders Sweden.
Table of Contents
Greece Preview – Can Greece bounce back from defeat last time out to keep alive qualification hopes ?
Greece suffered their first loss of qualification last time out when losing to Sweden who are currently on top of the group. A 2-0 defeat sees them sit in third spot of Group B – six points behind the Swedes and four adrift of their next opponents. Head coach John van’t Schip knows that they now simply have to take three points from this game otherwise their hopes of finishing in the playoff spot will be over and it will be another big tournament that the Greeks fail to qualify for. Their last participation at a major international finals was the 2014 World Cup.
If that is to be the case then van’t Schip will look to the number of draws they have had so far, especially at home to Georgia and away to Kosovo. The fact they earned a point away to Spain could count for nothing as a result.
Greece can also point to being the only team to inflict defeat on section leaders Sweden, winning 2-1 at home in September. They have another match at home to complete their campaign when taking on Kosovo. The challenge is ensuring that game will mean something on Sunday.
Their home form has generally been strong over the last couple of years. Greece come into this game looking to extend a run of 10 games unbeaten at home. Considering they lost to Armenia and Estonia shortly before the first of that unbeaten run it is a significant improvement under their Dutch coach but now is the crunch moment.
Spain Preview – Will the Spanish record a third away win out of four in their qualification campaign?
Spain have earned plenty of plaudits in 2021. They were arguably the most impressive performers at Euro 2020 only to be undone on penalties by eventual winners Italy in the semi-finals. And having gotten their revenge against that rival at the same stage of the Nations League looked set for a first trophy success since 2012 only to concede two late goals to France in the final.
Luis Enrique will be delighted with the progress his team is making and the style of football they are now consistently playing, but he knows it has to bring results and the facts of it are in this group they are second. And in real danger of missing out on automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup.
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Trailing Sweden by a couple of points on the back of a 2-1 defeat in Stockholm in September, the Spanish now likely have to win this game and beat Sweden in their final qualifier four days later.
Incredibly, the loss to Sweden is Spain’s first defeat in World Cup qualification since 1993. They lost to Scandinavian opposition on that occasion (away to Denmark). Their response has been strong following that reverse with wins against Georgia and Kosovo, scoring six and not conceding.
Greece vs Spain Betting Advice
This is basically a must-win game for both nations. If Greece fail to take three points then they will not be able to finish in second spot. Should Spain not win then they are very likely to have to settle for second spot as Sweden face Georgia on the same evening where a win for them and the Spanish dropping points would clinch top spot for them.
The last time Spain faced Greece away from home in a competitive game was back in 2002. They won 2-0 on that occasion.
Key Facts – Greece vs Spain Betting Tip
- Greece are unbeaten in their last 10 home internationals (six wins and four draws)
- Spain’s only defeat in the section came away to Sweden back in September
- The nations drew 1-1 when they met in the opening game of this section in March
Spain do have the quality to get the victory but I think both teams to score is the way to go here. Eight of Greece’s last 11 home games have seen both teams finding the net and considering they also need to win it should be an open match.
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