2018 World Cup Odds and Prediction: Spain Team Betting Preview

They had a reputation as serial underachievers at the World Cup before winning the tournament at South Africa in 2010 and they’re looking for redemption after bowing out early in 2014.

2018 World Cup Spain Betting Odds

Odds to advance to knockout stages: -1600

Odds to win the World Cup: +637

Number of World Cup wins: 29

FIFA world ranking: No. 8

Manager: Julen Lopetegui

Captain: Sergio Ramos

Spain Players to Watch

La Roja’s midfield might not cede possession for the full 90 minutes in their matches against Iran and Morocco. Isco, David Silva and Andres Iniesta are magicians with the ball at their feet and they will make up for Spain’s lack of a proven finisher.

Isco, in particular, is primed to excel in the tournament. He lines up in the No. 10 position behind the striker for manager Julen Lopetegui’s side.

Spain World Cup Formation and Projected Starting 11

Spain play in the popular 4-2-3-1 formation with seven of their projected starting 11 coming from La Liga’s Real Madrid and Barcelona. Bettors should see a backline of Dani Carvajal, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba with Sergio Busquets playing at defensive mid and Thiago Alcantara set up as the deep-lying playmaker.

Silva, Iniesta and Isco will play in the attacking midfielder positions and Diego Costa will likely get the first look as the central striker.

Spain Strengths

The midfield packed with world-class players who excel at playing keep away from opponents. Still, Spain’s most dominant quality is their strength at the back. Ramos and Pique have been the starting centre half pairing for the last four years and David De Gea is the best keeper in the world.

Spain Weaknesses

This squad is so good that trying to find a soft spot feels like nitpicking. The No. 9 position has been a problem area for Spain over the last four years. La Rojas will, at times, abandon playing a central striker and instead use an attacking mid as a false nine.

Spain used Alvaro Morata as their primary striker recent qualification matches, but the forward didn’t make the squad after a poor second half to his season at Chelsea.

Spain News

Right back Dani Carvajal was last seen leaving the pitch in tears in the Champions League final. The Real Madrid defender pulled his hamstring in the match and there’s a concern he won’t be ready to play in Spain’s first match against Portugal on June 15.

Spain Betting Predictions

The Fury go into this tournament with the goal of winning the World Cup for the second time this decade. Bowing out any time before the semifinals would be a huge embarrassment.

Spain are uber talented but they sometimes are sometimes too content dominating possession and not taking chances in the final third. They could dominate a match and still only win 2-0. Smart World Cup bettors will be betting the under in their matches in the Group Stage.

A Golden Boot winner isn’t likely to be found on Spain’s squad but the Golden Ball is a different story. Isco is a fine candidate to win the award given to the player of the tournament. Sports Interaction lists his odds to win the Golden Ball at +2700.

Spain have a tough draw in the knockout stages, assuming things play out as expected in the group stage. La Roja will likely have to beat Argentina and Germany just to make it to the final. They’re good enough to get by Argentina but probably not the Germans.