Spain and Portugal are bitter rivals, so of course, they would be grouped together in Group B at the World Cup in Russia. The two will clash in their first game on June 15th, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the winner of this game could top the group.
What To Know About Portugal
Portugal are back in the World Cup after winning the 2016 European Championships, and they topped their UEFA group to qualify for Russia. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 15 goals in qualification and is coming off a two-goal performance over Egypt in a friendly, scoring both in injury time to give his team the win. Usually, as Ronaldo goes, Portugal goes and he’ll have a big hand in how they do in Russia. However, Andre Silva scored nine goals in qualification and along with Bernardo Silva, Portugal has some youth to go with their 33-year-old captain. There might be a question about their defense as 36-year-old Bruno Alves might be the most experienced player back there as 35-year-old Pepe was left out of the squad for the friendlies against Egypt and the Netherlands. That is something to look at as the World Cup comes closer.
What To Know About Spain
Spain returns to the World Cup after winning in 2010, then crashing out in the group stages in 2014. Like Portugal, they also won their UEFA group to qualify for Russia. This is not the Spain team that dominated the world from 2008 to 2012, winning the European Championships twice, along with the World Cup. Andres Iniesta is still around, although he doesn’t influence the game as he once did. Instead, Spain rely on David Silva and Isco in midfield, and Isco just scored a hat trick in a 6-1 thrashing of Argentina in a friendly. Isco scored five goals in qualification, as did Silva, Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata, but Morata was left off the squad for friendlies against Argentina and Germany as he has struggled for Chelsea. Sergio Busquets will still shield a solid back line led by captain Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique, while David De Gea is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world now.
Outlook
Spain are favored in this game at 1.90, while Portugal comes in at 4.00 and a draw is rated at 3.50. Spain has 16 wins and 13 draws in 35 meetings with Portugal, who lost to Spain on penalties in the semifinals of Euro 2012 in their last meeting. All of these players are very familiar with each other, so there aren’t a lot of secrets. Portugal has the slight edge going forward with Ronaldo, but Spain is better at the back. The game could be won in midfield, where Portugal has to slow down Isco, while Spain has to do the same with Andre Silva. This game could be a draw, which would really open up Group B to any of the four teams. Regardless of the score, it should be an enthralling game, especially if you’re a neutral fan.
World Cup Betting Pick: Draw
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