The best national team in the world a decade ago was Spain. La Roja ran roughshod over international opponents for five years, claiming the 2008 Euros, the 2010 World Cup, and the 2012 Euros in one of the most impressive runs we have ever seen in international competition. Spain’s Golden Generation lived up to the billing, and now they have reloaded after winning just two matches in their last two trips to the World Cup. We saw Spain make the semifinals of last year’s Euros before losing to eventual champions Italy in penalties, and La Roja are one of the favorites in Qatar.
Spain Odds at the 2022 World Cup
Spain Odds to Win the 2022 World Cup +850
Spain Odds to Win Group E -110
Spain Odds to Qualify for the Round of 16 -900
We saw Spain’s struggles against Sweden in international play continue during World Cup Qualifying. However, La Roja were able to buckle down after an early draw against Greece and a loss to Sweden to top their group. Spain punched its World Cup ticket with an Alvaro Morata 86th minute goal against Sweden in Seville last November, but the country had the misfortune of being drawn into the Group of Death with Germany, Japan, and Costa Rica.
Recent Form
Spain nearly had to settle for a draw against Albania in its first friendly of 2022. Albania leveled the match in the 86th minute, so Dani Olmo needed to find the back of the net in the 90th minute to give La Roja the win. The next friendly went much easier for Spain as Iceland put up little challenge in a 5-0 beatdown.
Currently, Spain is sitting atop its Nations League Group. The Spanish have two wins and two draws in their four matches, and they were able to knock off Switzerland and Spain in their last two matches.
Roster
The one big question for Spain is one that has hung over this team since David Villa retired from international play in 2017. La Roja don’t have a truly elite forward up top that can create chances out of nothing. Alvaro Morata has been the top performer over the past five years with 26 goals in 56 matches, but he needs support from his midfielders and lacks that special finishing touch. Pablo Sarabia has played well over the last couple months, but a lot of hope rests on the shoulders of 22-year-old Ferran Torres. The Barcelona product has scored 13 goals in 28 matches with the national team, and he has the potential to be the scoring threat that Spain has been missing.
Sergio Busquets has been one of the best defensive midfielders in the world for years. Busquets is the captain of this team, and he is by far the most experienced player on the roster with 137 caps. Thiago has been injured twice in the last few months and might not make the World Cup squad, but the good news is that Carlos Soler and Dani Olmo have looked better on the attack in the midfield. Koke, Rodri, and Marcos Llorente could also factor into things in Qatar.
This back line doesn’t have a ton of international experience given the age of its starters. Dani Carvajal has just 29 caps and Cesar Azpilicueta has just 40 caps, but they are both 30 or older and are two of the three most experienced players on the roster. Vice-captain Jordi Alba is by far the most experienced defender on the roster with 85 appearances, and he can make things happen on the wing.
Unai Simon has supplanted David de Gea as Spain’s No. 1 goalkeeper. Simon was the first choice netminder ahead of De Gea at the Euros last year, and he has played well over the last year. Meanwhile, De Gea has not been called up since last November, so he could be left off the final roster.
Prediction
The Group of Death won’t be easy for Spain to navigate. Germany is another titan that could easily beat La Roja, and both Japan and Costa Rica have showed they have the potential to pull off major upsets. The lack of major scoring threats is a concern too, so don’t be surprised if Spain crashes out earlier than expected.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
Check out the latest odds at BookMaker
