Spain vs Germany: Red Fury can put four-time champions on the brink
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World Cup 2022: Spain vs Germany odds, preview and tips
These former World Cup winners were expected to saunter through the group but Japan threw a spanner in the works with Wednesday’s shock victory over Germany, who could be knocked out of the tournament should they lose this match.
There was little to choose between the nations in the build-up to the World Cup but Spain’s 7-0 victory over Costa Rica means they are 1/4 to top the group and Germany have drifted significantly to 13/2.
The Spain winning odds are 27/20 to take three points from Sunday’s match following their biggest ever World Cup victory, while four-time champions Germany are priced at 9/5.
Spain vs Germany form
Spain passed Costa Rica off the pitch with 82% possession and are now 6/1 third favourites in the World Cup winner odds, but Germany are fully expected to offer more resistance than Wednesday’s opponents.
Alvaro Morata gave us a nice 7/5 winner by outscoring the opposition as a substitute in an interesting starting line-up in which Marco Asensio led the line supported by fellow goalscorers Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, while midfielder Rodri played at centre-back alongside Manchester City team-mate Aymeric Laporte.
Last year’s Euro 2020 semi-finalists flopped at the last two tournaments and had a few bumps and bruises in reaching Qatar, losing their first World Cup qualifier since 1993 when they were beaten by Sweden.
🎙️ Hansi Flick: "It's bitterly disappointing. We had 78% possession in the first half and had plenty of chances in the second that we failed to take. Japan beat us with their efficiency."#GER #FIFAWorldCup #GERJPN pic.twitter.com/n7ukjs55ef
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) November 23, 2022
However, this young and energetic side have made the perfect start and their recent record against Germany means they get the nod at 11/8 in the World Cup odds, but for those looking at a bigger price, Draw HT/Spain FT catches the eye at 9/2.
Germany followed Argentina in losing to a lesser nation which was Flick’s second defeat in 17 matches since taking charge 15 months ago, although Serge Gnabry was denied three times by Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda and Ilkay Gundogan also hit the post as well as scoring from the penalty spot, so they had their chances.
Die Mannschaft embarrassingly finished bottom of a mediocre group in Russia four years ago and are heading for the same fate if they don’t buck up their ideas, but like Spain they lack a recognised striker, with Kai Havertz leading the line in the absence of the injured Timo Werner.
Germany not to score is available at 13/5 in the World Cup betting, while Spain to win to nil for a second time is 18/5.
Spain vs Germany head to head
Two years ago Germany suffered their heaviest competitive defeat as a Torres hat-trick helped Spain record a 6-0 Nations League victory just two months after the sides had drawn 1-1 in Berlin.
They shared a 1-1 draw in a friendly in 2018 so a share of the spoils is not out of the question which can be backed at 5/2, while it’s 3/1 with goals thrown into the equation. A third 1-1 draw in four meetings is available at 11/2.
Both teams have much-changed squads since Spain destroyed Germany, who have a new man in charge but the same problems seem to persist, so Torres to outscore the opposition looks an interesting prospect at 13/2 bearing in mind the Barcelona striker is just 2/1 to get on the scoresheet.
Spain vs Germany team news
Costa Rica barely laid a glove on Spain, whose head coach Luis Enrique took full advantage of the scoreline to give run-outs to five of his substitutes.
Spain went with a 4-1-2-3 against the Central Americans in which Barcelona teenagers Pedri and Gavi played in central midfield in front of the experienced Sergio Busquets.
Flick also made five substitutions but that was more out of desperation and it remains to be seen whether he will make personnel and formation changes for the Spain game.
Germany went with a 4-2-3-1 against the Japanese in which Joshua Kimmich and Gundogan played behind Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala and Gnabry, who were all taken off in the second half.
Niclas Fullkrug had been struggling with a virus but replaced Havertz in the second half.
Goalscorer odds
Olmo opened the scoring at 5/1 on Wednesday and is 13/2 to repeat the trick, but there are plenty of candidates to get on the scoresheet, none more so than Torres.
The former Manchester City forward struck twice against Los Ticos and is 11/2 to break the deadlock, 14/1 to bag at least a double or 100/1 to net another hat-trick.
Gavi became the third youngest player to score at the World Cup finals and is 14/1 and 9/2 in the two markets, while Asensio is 11/2 and 21/10.
Morata opened the scoring on that famous night in Seville and is the 9/2 favourite to draw first blood or 17/10 to score, but it’s worth checking the line-ups an hour before kick-off.
Havertz is viewed as the likeliest first goalscorer for Germany at 6/1 or 23/10 to breach Spain’s defence, the same odds as Fullkrug.
Gundogan is 9/1 to get the ball rolling again or 10/3 to score, while Gnabry, Musiala and Leroy Sane are 5/2, 3/1 and 13/5 respectively in the anytime market.
Match Info
Where: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
When: 19:00, Sunday 27th November
How to watch: BBC
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
