Spain vs Greece
25 March 1945hrs
Football – International – World Cup Qualification
Pick Spain to win to nil
Bookmaker Betvictor
Odds: 8/11 odds taken 2000 GMT, Wednesday 24 March
2010 World Cup winners Spain kick-off this campaign with a home match against Greece. Both teams will be hoping for a fast start in their attempts to reach the finals next summer.
Table of Contents
Spain Preview – Will Spain continue their phenomenal World Cup qualifying record at home?
The Spanish have been in the international wilderness by their own high standards in the last six years. Since winning Euro 2012 Spain have not managed to get beyond the last 16 of any of the proceeding competitions. Luis Enrique will feel that the next 18 months will be the defining period of his time in charge with the rescheduled Euro 2020 to come this summer before what he hopes will be a visit to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
Spain’s form coming into this campaign has been uninspiring, however, with just three wins in their last eight games. There have been a few draws with their one loss in that time came away to Ukraine in October last year.
Greece Preview – Are Greece able to continue their recent good run and return home with a result?
John van’t Schip’s first tournament qualification campaign as coach of Greece was positive overall but still ended in failure as they finished third and four points behind eventual second place Finland. The Greeks had a really strong finish to that campaign and have continued that into their most recent games – indicating the the former Dutch international is beginning to build something.
There will be some frustration from the coach that Greece missed out on topping their Nations League group, ending that campaign in second spot – two points adrift of Slovenia.
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The last time Greece qualified for a major tournament was the World Cup in 2014 and they will feel it’s overdue for them to reach their next finals. With Spain expected to finish top of this section then it looks a straight fight between Sweden and Greece for the playoff spot in what is only a five nation group.
If Greece are to clinch second spot then much will depend on their defensive record. There are not a huge amount of goals in this squad with midfielder Kostas Fortounis the player with the highest number of goals on just nine.
Spain vs Greece Betting Advice
This will be the first meeting between the teams since Spain defeated Greece in the group stage of Euro 2008 before going on to win the competition – the first of three in their unprecedented era of domination. They may be some way off that standard but any new campaign brings with it optimism and Spain will be amongst the favourites to go on and win the whole thing.
For Greece this will be a game they are not targeting points but looking for a good performance which will build confidence for the games ahead.
Key Facts – Spain vs Greece Betting Tip
- Spain have never lost a World Cup qualifier at home – a run of 47 wins and nine draws
- Greece come into this game unbeaten in their last five and with just one defeat in their last 11
- The teams last met in Euro 2008, Spain winning 2-1 before going on to win the competition
I’m keen on Spain to win this game without conceding. They have won their last six keeping clean sheets and can do so again against a team who are not prolific by any stretch.
Best Betting Odds for Spain vs Greece
