Reigning European champions Spain take on Belgium in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in California on Friday night.
Spain booked their spot in the quarter-finals after a well-worked stoppage-time goal from Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino gave La Roja a 1-0 victory over Iberian neighbours Portugal.
After drawing their opening match of the tournament 0-0 with Cape Verde, Luis de la Fuente’s men have gone on to win each of their next four, with goalkeeper Unai Simon still yet to concede a goal in North America this summer.
Belgium are arguably the luckiest team still in the tournament, as despite drawing their opening two matches in Group G against Egypt and Iran, Rudi Garcia’s men still managed to finish top on goal difference thanks to a 5-1 thrashing of Egypt.
It looked as if the Red Devils were heading home as they trailed Senegal by two goals to nil after 85 minutes, but two goals in the space of three minutes by record-goalscorer Romelu Lukaku and then Youri Tielemans took the game to extra time, before the Aston Villa midfielder clinched the tie from the penalty spot.
However, no luck was required in the early hours of Tuesday morning, as Belgium put in their most complete performance of the tournament in the last round, defeating co-hosts the USA 4-1 – on an evening in which two of my three selections landed.
How the bookies view it: Spain favourites
Spain are favourites to reach the semi-finals, with bet365 pricing La Roja at just 3/10 To Qualify, with the win inside 90 minutes priced at 8/13.
Belgium are 5/2 underdogs to reach their first World Cup semi-final since Russia in 2018, whilst the win inside regulation time is 9/2.
More match odds are available on our best mobile apps for World Cup betting.
Head to head: Spanish dominance
These two nations have met on 23 occasions, with Spain winning 12 times and losing just five (W12-D6-L5).
Two of those clashes have been at the World Cup, with Belgium knocking out Spain on penalties at the quarter-finals in Mexico 86, before La Roja exacted their revenge four years later in Italy by winning 2-1 in the group stages.
Players to watch: More magic for La Roja for Mikel
Mikel Oyarzabal has a terrific record in a Spanish jersey, as he has been directly involved in 23 goals across his last 17 starts for La Roja.
The Real Sociedad skipper has already bagged braces against Saudi Arabia and Austria in North America this summer, and looks good value at 6/5 at bet365 to add to his four-goal tally.
Predicted line-ups:
Yeremy Pino and Nico Williams remain doubts for Spain, whilst Belgium will be without the injured Amadou Onana.
Spain: Simon, Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Pedri, Rodri, Yamal, Merino, Baena, Oyarzabal
Belgium: Courtois, Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper, Tielemans, Raskin, Trossard, Vanaken, Doku, De Ketelaere
Anything else catch the eye?
Belgium’s matches have been good for goal-backers this tournament, with 4/5 (80%) of their clashes producing goals at both ends, whilst the last three have produced a whipping 16 goals, with 12 of those being scored by the Red Devils.
However, they come against a Spain side that has still yet to concede a goal in North America this summer, and I feel La Roja will prove to be too strong for their European compatriots.
Spain to Win & Under 4.5 Goals has clicked in each of Spain’s last four matches, and a repeat pays an appealing 10/11 at bet365.
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