Spain vs Russia Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

This will be the game where we find out an awful lot about Russia and whether their bright start to this World Cup was just a flash in the pan or whether they can seriously compete with the stronger teams. Spain certainly fall into that category and head into the game as strong favourites, despite an unconvincing group campaign.

Their only victory came via a 1-0 win over Iran but they have had almost a week to regroup and gear up for this match. That might just be key, particularly given the chaotic build-up to the tournament with their coach sacked just two days before the first game. Fernando Hierro must decide whether to stick with the players that haven’t fully delivered or make changes but either way Spain should have enough quality to beat Russia.

La Roja will certainly have a partisan home crowd to deal with. The tournament organisers were clearly anticipating Russia would only finish 2nd in their group as this game will be played in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in front of close to 80,000 fans. It’s an enormous game for Russian football but the Spanish squad contains a wealth of experience and if anything they ought to be the ones to better handle the occasion.

Overall it promises to be a good watch from a neutral perspective and there is the potential for a few goals. Russia have shown far more firepower than anyone expected with 8 goals in the group stage, more than any other side in Groups A to F. They can also take some confidence from having caused Spain real problems in a 3-3 friendly draw between the sides earlier in the season. However defensively they’ve only really come up against one side of any real pedigree at this World Cup and they conceded three times in that game against Uruguay.

Including this tournament, 73% of Russia’s games in the 2017/18 season have produced over 2.5 goals while 10 of Spain’s last 15 games have done likewise. Their midfield and attacking quality is undoubted but their defence hasn’t looked as solid as might have been anticipated so far. Basic defensive errors gifted Morocco several clear chances in their last game and they can’t afford a repeat here. Having already been involved in 2-2 and 3-3 draws at this tournament, there is reason to fancy backing Over 2.5 Goals here as Spain look to step up a gear following some below-par performances.

What can’t be doubted is that they have the quality to do that, whereas you wonder whether Russia have already peaked. If Fernando Hierro’s men step it up a notch, they should have too much class for the hosts but given 6 of Spain’s last 8 games have produced goals at each end, backing Spain & Both Teams to Score could be worth considering.

In addition, going for Diego Costa to score anytime could be worth a punt. He notched 3 goals in the group phase and finally looks a better fit for this Spanish side, which has at times shown a willingness to be marginally more direct.

Spain Predicted Lineup: De Gea, Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Koke, Iniesta, Isco, Silva, Costa

Russia Predicted Lineup: Akinfeev, Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Zobnin, Gazinskiy, Samedov, Golovin, Cheryshev, Dzyuba