SPAIN and Norway get their respective 2024 European Championship qualification campaigns underway when they lock horns at the Estadio La Rosaleda on Saturday night.
La Roja parted company with Luis Enrique after going out of the 2022 World Cup at the last-16 stage on penalties to Morocco.
Shortly afterwards the Spanish FA confirmed that former U21 coach Luis de la Fuente would be the man tasked with leading the national team moving forward.
Spain now embark on a new era which will begin in Group A where they have been drawn alongside Cyprus, Georgia, Scotland and maiden night opponents Norway.
As for Stale Solbakken's side, they will be hoping they can navigate their way to a first major international tournament since 2000.
Armed with the likes of Erling Haaland Martin Odegaard, the Lions will be quietly confident of claiming second spot in this section, although they couldn't have asked for a more difficult curtain-raiser.
Outright Betting
Spain, who have claimed top honours in three of their last four meetings with Norway, head into this Group A opener as heavy 4/11 (UniBet) favourites.
Norway make the trip to Malaga as 10/1 (Ladbrokes) longshots while a point apiece is also considered unlikely at 15/4 (Ladbrokes) with the same firm.
Betting Angles
Here, I think the hosts are if anything way too short, so I'll head to UniBet's Bet Builder market and merge Spain to Win and Over 1.5 Norway Cards at 5/6 (UniBet).
While Spain are not the force of old and are under new management, they should have more than enough to extend a strong home record against a Norway side that will be without superstar striker Erling Haaland.
La Roja have tasted defeat just twice on home soil across their last 26 international assignments on home soil, earning victory on a sizeable 17 occasions during four and a half year sequence.
Although the signs finally appear to be pointing in the right direction for a Norway side who have enough about them to keep things competitive here, I suspect that they will ultimately come up short.
With the hosts expected to dictate the tempo of the game, I'll conclude the 5/6 (UniBet) Bet Builder with Norway to receive a minimum of two bookings on Saturday night.
The Spanish have drawn a minimum of two cards from six of their eight last opponents in non-friendly fixtures and a repeat here should go close given that the Lions are likely to find themselves defending for long periods.
Team news permitting, I'll also dip into the player card market and have a small play on Sander Berge to pick up a booking at 17/4 (UniBet).
The combative Norwegian midfielder has never been one to shy away from a tackle and he looks worthy of interest to have his name taken here against a technically gifted Spain team.
This Euro 2024 match between Spain and Norway will be played on Mar 25, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Spain vs Norway prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
