Spain
It is a fair assumption to say that Spain were very underwhelming in their World Cup opener against Cape Verde,they struggled to get going and Luis de la Fuente’s team and they ultimately had to settle for a single point when most expected them to crush the World Cup debutants.
It now leads to them being under extreme pressure to pick up three points on Sunday, especially given they came into the tournament as the favourites to lift the trophy for a second time. Nothing less than four pointsfrom the next two games will be enough for La Roja.
It isn’t fair to say they are a one man team but they lacked any kind of influence until 18 year old Lamine Yamal entered the field of play in the final quarter. If they are to win the trophy again they surely cannot rely solely on the young Barcelona to guide them through. superstar
Despite being a heavyweight of the national game and seemingly entering every tournament as one of the favourites they have actually been eliminated in the last 16 at the last two world cups, They were knocked out by host Russia on Pens in 2018 whilst four years ago they also exited on pens to surprise semi-finalists Morocco.
Injuries & Team News
Even before the tournament began it was well known that Lamine Yamal would not be fully fit for the start of the tournament and despite Luis de la Fuente suggesting he was “good to go” against Cape Verde he left him in reserve and only introduced him after 65 minutes.
Now with the pressure on surely the Spanish Coach will have to start Yamal in Atlanta. He may also feel the need to start fellow teenager Nico Williams, he too has been struggling with Injury leading into the Tournament but is said to be fully fit and has trained fully for a full week.
Ferran Torres and Gavi may be the players to make way having made no impression against Cape Verde.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 0-0 vs Cape Verde | D W D D W D |
Predicted Line-Up
Spain (4-3-3):
Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Olmo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia began their tournament with a 1-1 draw with a talented Uruguay side, they took the lead through Abdulelah Al Amri late in the first half before Maxi Araujo came up with a late leveller for the Uruguayans.
That draw leaves all four teams level on one point in Group H and with minnows Cape Verde still to play in the final game Georgios Donis will be confident his side can make it to the last 32 with a positive result here, even as a third place finisher.
This will be the second time Saudi Arabia have faced Spain at a World Cup, they met back in 2006 in Germany when Spain picked up a narrow 1-0 victory in Kaiserslauten thanks to a solitary Juanito goal.
Spain have also had the edge in two previous Friendly Internationals, so a win here would create history for Saudi Arabia.
The best ever performance form Saudi Arabia at a World Cup also came in USA back in 1994 when they made it to the last 16.
Injuries & Team News
Georgios Donis went with a flexible system against the Uruguayans with a solid back four that could also be a wing-back system, with Mohammad Abu Al Shamat playing a crucial role up and down the right flank ahead of Lens defender Saud Abdulhamid.
There was a slightly surprising selection with Musab Al Juwayr preferred in attack alongside the experienced Salem Al Dawsari and Firas Al Buraikan. Abdullah Al Hamdan was a doubt for the opener but came off the bench late on against Uruguay.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-1 vs Uruguay | L L L W D D |
Predicted Line-Up
Saudi Arabia (3-4-2-1):
Al Owais; Abdulhamid, Tambakti, Al Amri; Abu Al Shamat, Kanno, Al Khaibari, Al Harbi; Al Juwayr, S. Al Dawsari; Al Buraikan
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Spain Win | 1/9 (1.14) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 12/1 (13.00) | Dream Vegas |
| Saudi Arabia Win | 32/1 (33.00) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Spain 2-0 Saudi Arabia
The nerves will be jangling for Spain followig the Cape Verde result and the saudis will be full of confidence but Spain have too much quality to fail to fire twice in a row, an early goal and it will be an easy afternoon.