SPAIN will be looking to maintain their 100% record at Euro 2024 when they face Georgia in the round of 16 at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Sunday night.
Group B was largely considered as this year’s ‘Group of Death' but Spain swiftly squashed any suggestion of that by strolling to top spot with one game to spare.
As well as triumphing in all three of their group games, La Roja were the only nation to keep three clean sheets during the group phase.
That flawless group stage showing has led to Luis de la Fuente’s side now being rated as the bookmakers’ second favourites to conquer the continent this summer, with a Spanish triumph currently trading at 9/2 on Betfred.
As for newcomers Georgia, they earned their most famous and eye-catching result in their history by beating Portugal 2-0 on Wednesday night.
That stunning success secured the Crusaders a place in the knockout stages in what is their maiden appearance at a major international tournament.
How the bookies view it: Spain to reign supreme
Unsurprisingly, Spain are short priced 1/5 favourites on Betfred to make it four wins from four at Euro 2024.
Georgia, who have lost just one of their three matches at Euro 2024 so far, are firm outsiders at 14/1 on Betfred. An all-square affair after 90 minutes is also deemed unlikely on 11/1 on Betfred.
Head to head: Spain seeking more of the same
Spain and Georgia have become familiar foes on the international circuit in recent years. The two nations crossed swords during qualification for Euro 2024, with Spain winning both games by an aggregate scoreline of 10-2.
La Roja also claimed top honours when the two sides went up against each other during the preliminaries for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Last five H2H duels:
- 19/11/2023 (EURO Qualifiers) – Spain 3-1 Georgia
- 08/09/2023 (EURO Qualifiers) – Georgia 1-7 Spain
- 05/09/2021 (World Cup Qualifiers) – Spain 4-0 Georgia
- 28/03/2021 (World Cup Qualifiers) – Georgia 1-2 Spain
- 07/06/2016 (International Friendly) – Spain 0-1 Georgia
Players to watch: Morata to make his mark?
Alvaro Morata scored a hat-trick against Georgia during Euro 2024 qualifying and he will look to heap further misery on the Crusaders in Cologne. The Spanish captain is currently tied for third in the European Championship's all-time goalscorers list. Having already netted in one of his two outings at Euro 2024, Morata looks worth backing to get in on the act again at 4/5 on Betfred.
After scoring in each of Georgia’s opening three games of Euro 2024, Georges Mikautadze is currently the shock front-runner in the race for the Golden Boot. The Metz man is 5/1 on Betfred to continue his hot streak in front of goal against Spain.
Predicted line-ups
After being afforded the luxury of being able to make wholesale changes in Spain's final Group B game against Albania, Luis de la Fuente is expected to name his strongest starting XI on Sunday night.
After picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Portugal, Georgia will be without suspended midfielder Anzor Mekvabishvili.
Spain: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Kverkveliya, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Chakvetadze, Kochorashvili, Tsitaishvili; Davitashvili, Kvaratskhelia; Mikautadze
Anything else catch the eye?
Spain are unbackable 1/5 (Betfred) favourites for good reason but coupling up a Spanish success with over 2.5 goals will bring about a backable 4/5 shot on Betfred.
As previously mentioned, Spain twice put Georgia to the sword during Euro 2024 qualifying, with both of those victories generating over 2.5 goals.
The Georgians have already shown at Euro 2024 that they can pack a real punch, not to mention they breached Spain’s backline in both qualifying games.
There is plenty of scope for a similar scoreline here, while Spain are more than capable of flexing their muscles by covering the over 2.5 goal line on their own.
This Euro 2024 match between Spain and Georgia will be played on Jun 30, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Spain vs Georgia prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
