Prediction: Georgia vs Spain

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: Luckster

In desperate need of a qualifying boost on Friday evening, Spain will travel to Tbilisi when they meet Georgia for a Group A showdown.

Georgia

Starting with the hosts, enjoying what was a real Nations League romp last year and gaining a string of plaudits, Georgia certainly opened their qualifying adventure riding a major wave of momentum. However, while Willy Sagnol’s men might have opened their Group A campaign with a 1-1 draw against Erling Haaland’s Norway, the Crusaders have struggled to find much stability. Last seen putting in a toothless display as they were hit with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Scotland, the one-time Bayern Munich coach will know that his squad faces another heavyweight challenge here. Hit with a 4-0 drumming when they last met the former world champions while on World Cup qualifying duties back in September 2021, Georgia have lost all four of their competitive showdowns against Spain by an aggregate score of 9-1.

Team News

Playing a crucial role as Napoli were crowned Serie A champions last season, attacking talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will spearhead Georgia’s charge on Friday evening.

Staying put at Valencia this summer despite a string of heavyweight European interest, 22-year-old goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will start between the sticks this weekend. Making the move to Dutch giants Ajax this summer, Georges Mikautadze will earn a 17th senior cap here.

Spain

As for the visitors, failing to make it past the Round of 16 stage out in Qatar over the winter, Spain certainly came under a huge amount of scrutiny following a nightmare World Cup campaign. However, despite eventually falling at the hands of Morocco nine months ago, La Roja certainly aren’t showing any signs of a hangover. Making real history back in June as they were crowned Nations League champions for the first time, Luis de la Fuente will now be seeking a crucial qualifying boost here. Last seen in Group A action putting in a nightmare display on foreign soil as they slumped to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Scotland, Spain will be desperate to avoid another potential banana skin in midweek. Landing that 4-0 romp when they welcomed Georgia to Badajoz 24 months ago, Fuente’s side will be seeking a rapt performance this weekend.

Team News

Really bursting onto the scene over the past few weeks, Barcelona starlet and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal is expected to be handed a full senior debut on Thursday evening. Appointed Spain’s new skipper earlier in the year, one-time Chelsea misfit Alvaro Morata will spearhead La Roja’s charge here.

Already notching five strikes across all competitions this season, the red-hot Dani Olmo should partner Morata in the final third. PSG’s Fabian Ruiz looks set to partner Manchester City midfielder Rodri in the middle of the park.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back in September 2021, Spain picked up a thumping 4-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, La Roja have won each of their four competitive showdowns against Georgia by an aggregate score of 9-1.
• However, Friday’s hosts are unbeaten in each of their last seven straight home fixtures across all formats – a run that stems back to October 2021.
• On a similar note, the Crusaders are unbeaten in each of their previous seven European Championship qualifiers in Tbilisi.
• Spain have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Spain might have been crowned Nations League champions back in June, La Roja have struggled to find much stability since opening their qualifying adventure earlier in the year. Last seen in Group A action getting hit with an infamous 2-0 loss away at Scotland, the former world champions face what is a crucial showdown on Friday evening. However, despite opening their trip to Tbilisi tipped as a landslide contender with the bookmakers, they will meet a Georgia squad that have gained a reputation for their gritty performances on home soil. Unbeaten in each of their previous seven straight qualifying contests in front of their own supporters, we could be set for another low-scoring affair here.

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: Luckster