Spain v Russia Predictions & Betting Odds – World Cup 2018

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Spain v Russia- World Cup 2018

Spain v Russia Betting Preview – World Cup 2018 1st July – 3.00 p.m

It has not been the most convincing of displays from Spain so far, but they are still in the mix and among the front-runners to get their hands on the title. The draw has opened up a little bit for them with Germany having fallen by the wayside. The Spaniards struggled defensively in their matches, but Russia had their bubble burst badly after winning their opening two games. The hosts were hammered by Uruguay in their final group stage match and our Spain v Russia prediction sees more woes coming for them.

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Spain News and Form

Spain may well be on a long undefeated stretch of form since Euro 2016, but they were made to sweat to keep that going through this World Cup group stage. Some really poor defensive displays saw them make life really hard for themselves, with the likes of keeper David de Gea and stalwart defenders Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos looking anything but convincing. Spain conceded five goals in their three group stage games and that tally could have been worse because Iran were unlucky not to get an equaliser against them. You look at this Spain side and expect them to concede goals at the moment, but overall there should be better to come from them. We are actually going over 2.5 goals for our Spain v Russia prediction and that is at 11/10 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 28th, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.). That is because we can see one of two things happening. Either Spain will click and just have an easy time of things in running up a big victory, or they will have their defensive lapses and be embroiled in and open scrap.

Spain conceded three goals against Portugal in their opening game, albeit one a penalty and one because of a howler from De Gea. The other was through a piece of sheer brilliance from Cristiano Ronaldo. They edged a 1-0 win over Iran in their second game, and then twice had to come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Morocco in their final game, aided by VAR to get a result. One bright thing for Spain though is that Diego Costa is going well up front with three goals and he is the 10/3 first goalscorer favourite* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 28th, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.). Spain are W7 D5 in their last dozen games, but over their last seven they have alternated between a draw and a win, so if that continues they would be due to win this. Just to highlight how usually unconvincing Spain have been at the back they have just two clean sheets in their last eight games.

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Russia News and Form

Russia may well be looking at the Spain defence and be somewhat optimistic. Russia were on a seven-match winless streak ahead of the start of the 2018 World Cup, but they exploded into life producing a 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia and then beating Egypt 3-1. That sent them into a group winning a showdown against Uruguay in their final group stage match. But when that tough challenge came around Uruguay fell short and slumped to a 3-0 defeat. You can’t help but get the feeling that when it came to taking on a good side and they failed so badly, was that the real Russia considering again their poor form ahead of the tournament? They failed to use any of that good momentum or confidence from their opening wins to challenge Uruguay a bit harder. As they did fail to impress against a good side, for our Spain v Russia prediction we are going with both teams not to score is 7/10 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 28th, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.).

In their last 11 games, Russia have won only three and have lost five. The game going back to their poor form ahead of the tournament, it was still a surprise that they performed so well against Egypt and Saudi Arabia. They are naturally going to be vulnerable in this one as they have managed to earn only one clean sheet in their last 11 games and the way that Spain will pull them around the pitch is going to leave them open. Russia won’t see too much of the ball in this one. Even though they peaked really well in their first two games because they didn’t produce against Uruguay in their one tough match so far, we are boldly going with Spain to win to nil at 11/8* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 28th, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.).

Spain v Russia Head to Head

Spain and Russia went head to head in a friendly just back in November last year and after Spain had pulled out a two-goal lead the game ended up in a 3-3 draw. Each of the last three meetings between these two have produced at least three goals. In terms of the head to head, Spain have won four of the previous six, drawing the other two. Spain have conceded in just two of those previous six games against Russia.

Spain v Russia World Cup 2018 Infographic

Spain v Russia Betting Odds*

Spain 8/13
Draw 29/10
Russia 11/2
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on June 28th, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.)

Spain v Russia Predictions

We are backing Spain to win to nil for a look at some value in this match up. It is a risky bet but the true colours of Russia came through in that loss against Uruguay, namely that they are not likely to match with the best. Spain haven’t looked good at the back but they can keep the ball away from Russia enough to not be hurt.