After delivering another winner on Tuesday night, SlipsTips shares a Bet Builder ahead of Spain’s clash with Belgium at the World Cup on Friday night.
Spain vs Belgium, Friday (20:00)
Fighting it out for a place in the World Cup semi-finals, Spain and Belgium will lock horns at SoFi Stadium on Friday night.
After being held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their opening group fixture, Spain have bounced back in impressive fashion, winning four games on the spin to reach the last eight, with their most recent victory seeing them edge past Iberian rivals Portugal 1-0.
As for Belgium, they come into this quarter-final showdown off the back of their standout performance of the tournament, putting co-hosts USA to the sword with a 4-1 victory last time out.
Spain To Qualify
Spain look like they are beginning to motor in their quest for a second World Cup crown and they should have enough in their locker to get the better of Belgium. Following their shock stalemate with Cape Verde, Luis de la Fuente's side have since gone on to overcome Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria, and Portugal to book their place in the last eight. Moreover, La Roja have not suffered defeat inside 90 minutes since losing to Scotland in a Euro 2024 qualifier way back in March 2023.
Spain's superior class should see them edge past Belgium inside 90 minutes, but the safer play is to back them to qualify.
Under 5 Goals
A rock-solid defence has been the foundation of Spain's run to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. The reigning European champions have been imperious at the back, keeping five clean sheets across their five matches and restricting their opponents to a combined total of just five shots on target throughout the tournament. That defensive solidity can be attributed to the fact that all five of Spain's fixtures have featured four or fewer match goals.
While Belgium have been involved in a handful of goal-heavy encounters, the magnitude of this quarter-final clash makes it difficult to envisage this developing into a high-scoring shoot-out. Another controlled, if unspectacular, Spanish success looks to be on the cards, so for the second leg of the Bet Builder, back under five match goals.
Nicolas Raskin To Commit 1+ Foul
I'm going to conclude the Bet Builder with a player-based selection by backing Nicolas Raskin to commit at least one foul. The Belgian midfielder goes about his business in the middle of the park with plenty of tenacity, which regularly sees him end up on the wrong side of referees. That was evident against the USA last time out, when Raskin committed three fouls, while the same was also true during his substitute appearance against Senegal in the previous round. The Red Devils midfielder should be kept busy in his direct battle with Dani Olmo, who has drawn a combined total of four fouls across his last three outings for La Roja.
Recommended Bet
- Spain To Qualify
- Under 5 Goals
- Nicolas Raskin To Commit 1+ Foul
- Bet Builder – 4/5 (bet365)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
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