Spain v Russia Betting Tip Draw HT/Spain FT – World Cup 2018

Spain's class to tell eventually

Sunday 1st July 1500hrs Spain v Russia Football – International – World Cup Many predicted that Russia would struggle in their own tournament and may even fall at the first hurdle but they have taken advantage of their draw and the fixture schedule to reach the last 16. Spain never cruised through the group stages like they expected to but it was mission accomplished as they qualified top of the group, even in spite of sacking their head coach on the eve of the tournament starting. Betting tips for Spain and Russia can be found below for Sunday’s clash in the Russian capital.

To say it was not the best preparations for Spain is something of an understatement with the Spanish FA deciding to part company with Julen Lopetegui who agreed to take over as Real Madrid boss at the end of his nation’s participation in Russia this summer. Fernando Hierro assumed the coaching responsibilities and save for an excellent hour or so against Portugal – where they still only managed a draw – it’s not been a hugely impressive display from the 2010 World Champions. A laboured, and lucky, win over Iran was followed up by a dramatic 2-2 draw which was only achieved courtesy of a late equaliser. Still, they have qualified top and have a reasonably attractive tie in the last 16 as a result of that. Get past this and they will be gaining in confidence that they could actually go all the way.

Russia were certainly not dealt the strongest of groups when the draw was made last year but it still appeared one that could challenge them with Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia making up Group A. Had they played against the South Americans in the first game it could have been so different but as it was they played the weakest of the sides and were able to get their campaign off to the flying start they so desperately needed with a 5-0 win against the Saudis. The crunch game was the next match against Egypt where the benefited from a stroke of luck for the opening goal to set them on their way to a 3-1 win and guarantee them a play in the next round. Luckily for them as the hosts were thumped 3-0 in the final group game against Uruguay and ended up with 10 men. The challenges are only going to intensify and Russia have to prove they can meet them.

Spain v Russia Betting Tips

From a neutral point of view it’s also a good thing to see the hosts progress by the group stage as it just keeps the locals involved in every sense for a wee bit longer. How far they can now go is another thing entirely. They definitely have players who can hurt Spain and will take confidence from how Morocco were able to run them so close (and should have won) on Monday. How Russia set up will be interesting and it’s possibly more likely they adopt a similar approach to Iran when they came close to getting a result against the Spanish. Hierro has to find the winning formula now and that has been lacking for the majority of this tournament. There’s no doubting Spain’s class but as a collective it’s still somewhat fragmented and at times predictable. That could mean they struggle to begin with against Russia but their class should see them through in the end up. Take a draw at half time and Spain to be winning at full time in this round of 16 clash.

Betting Tip Draw HT/Spain FT 7/2 @ 888 Sport