Prediction: Spain vs Germany

Verdict: Spain draw no bet

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a heavyweight showdown from Group E on Sunday night, Spain will meet Germany at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Spain

Starting with Spain, while La Roja might have opened this year’s tournament tipped as an outside pick to claim a second world crown in Qatar, Luis Enrique’s men laid down a real marker earlier in the week. Opening their Group E adventure with a stunning 7-0 romp against Costa Rica, the former Barcelona boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Knowing that they’re seen as a landslide contender to book their knockout stage ticket, the European giants should be smelling the chance to make another statement at the Al Bayt Stadium. Gaining a string of plaudits and booking their spot in the semi-finals of this year’s Nations League following a 1-0 victory against Portugal during September’s international break, Spain have now won five of their last six matchups across all competitions. In fact, it should also be highlighted, Enrique’s side have lost just one of their 12 appearances – a run that stems back to October 2021.

Team News

Opening their Group E campaign with a stellar 7-0 victory against Costa Rica earlier in the week, Enrique should be tempted to name the same starting XI here.

Bagging a brace on his World Cup debut in midweek, Barcelona’s Ferran Torres will lead Spain’s charge on Saturday night. Also finding the net after coming off the bench, one-time Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata will be hoping for a full recall this weekend.

Germany

As for Germany, while Spain might be enjoying what has been an extended purple patch, the same cannot be said for Hansi Flick’s downbeat squad. Opening their World Cup adventure earlier in the week with a remarkable second-half collapse, the former Bayern Munich boss will know that his side face a must-win showdown on Saturday night. Eventually suffering an infamous 2-1 loss at the hands of Japan, the Nationalelf will know that they face a real task here. Running the risk of failing to make it to the World Cup’s knockout stage in back-to-back appearances, Germany have now managed to win just a pair of their last nine appearances across all formats. Continuing to show a string of defensive issues, the Whites should also be worried by their most recent meeting against Spain. Getting hit with a nightmare 6-0 drumming when they last faced off against La Roja on Nations League duties back in 2020, Flick’s side should be bracing themselves for an uphill struggle.

Team News

Suffering that 2-1 loss against Japan earlier in the week following a real second-half collapse, Flick could be tempted to make a string of changes on Saturday night.

The likes of Jonas Hofmann, Leon Goretzka and Mario Gotze will be hoping for a full recall at the Al Bayt Stadium. However, it is expected that Chelsea’s Kai Havertz will once again spearhead Germany’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two European giants last faced off back in 2020 while on Nations League duties, Spain picked up a thumping 6-0 win on home soil.
• Likewise, Spain have lost just one of their previous seven meetings against Germany – a run that stems all the way back to 2000.
• Including their 7-0 romp against Costa Rica earlier in the week, La Roja have won five of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Germany have managed to muster just a pair of victories from any of their previous nine matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, the Nationalelf have also recorded just a single clean sheet on that nine-match run.

Conclusion

Opening their World Cup adventure with a flurry thanks to that record-breaking 7-0 romp against Costa Rica, Spain should be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Knowing that they almost have one foot in the knockout stage, La Roja have the feel of a side riding a real wave of momentum. Winning five of their last six matchups across all competitions and suffering just a single defeat since October 2021, Enrique’s side will be looking to cash in on a downbeat German squad. Suffering an infamous 2-1 loss at the hands of Japan earlier in the week following a second-half collapse, the Nationalelf should face a tough task here. Hit with a woeful 6-0 drumming when they last faced off against Spain two years ago, a draw no bet can be found at appealing odds.

Verdict: Spain draw no bet

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Unibet