On Sunday the 27th of November, Spain will face Germany at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor for the big match in Group E of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The stakes in this clash have been raised through the roof after Germany was shocked 2-1 by Japan in their opening fixture. On the other hand, Spain underlined their tag as one of the top contenders by registering the biggest win of the World Cup so far with a merciless 7-0 demolition-job on Costa Rica.
Spain and Germany were regarded as the pre-tournament favourites to progress into the last-16 from Group E but the odds have shifted dramatically after the first round of matches. These two teams have twice locked horns during the past couple of years in the UEFA Nations League with Spain thrashing Germany 6-0 at home in their previous meeting. Their last match at a major competition came 12 years ago when Spain nicked a 1-0 victory over Germany in the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Read EagleBet’s top FIFA World Cup 2022 betting predictions and tips below.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Betting Predictions – Sponsored by Cyber Bet
Spain
Cyber Bet Betting Odds: 2.30
Last 5 Matches Performance: W L W W W
Team Analysis
Currently in 7th spot of the FIFA World Rankings, Spain heads into this titanic clash as the marginal favourite in the betting-lines. Head-coach Luis Enrique possesses the 3rd youngest squad of the tournament with an average-age of just 25.3 years.
An astute tactician and a strict disciplinarian, Enrique took his side to the semi-finals of Euro 2022. The Spanish coach is often at odds with the country’s media, but there will be few complaints after the colossal 7-0 win in their opening fixture of Qatar 2022.
It was indeed a perfect start as Spain utterly dominated the game, enjoying more than 80% possession with over 90% pass-success rate and 17 goal-attempts. Displaying superb creativity and guile in the attacking half, Spain showcased its strengths in full glory.
Also their opponents did not manage a single shot so its soft underbelly was left unexposed. But with all due respect to Costa Rica, this was the easiest game of the World Cup for Spain and the matches coming up will throw a much tougher challenge.
After the excellent performance against Costa Rica, Luis Enrique could decide to keep an unchanged side in the same 4-3-3 system. With the new 5-substitution rule, Enrique can utilise the quality he has on the bench to switch tactics midway if he wishes to.
So Rodrigo may remain as the centre-back partner for Aymeric Laporte. The two veterans César Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba are likely to stay in the fullback positions while Unai Simón has been the undisputed first-choice in goal.
Sergio Busquets arguably plays the most important role as the anchorman of the team but his lack of pace is something the opposition will look to capitalise upon, particularly on the counter-attack. With the pair of Barcelona teenagers Pedri and Gavi alongside him, Spain seemingly has the most creative midfield in this World Cup. Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres should be the two supporting-strikers with Marco Asensio in a false no.9 position and every one of the front-3 got on the score-sheet in the opening match.
Probable Starting XI: Unai Simón (gk), Aymeric Laporte, Rodrigo, César Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio.
Germany
Cyber Bet Betting Odds: 2.79
Last 5 Matches Performance: W L D W L
Team Analysis
Placed 4 spots below their opponents in the FIFA World Rankings, Germany is cast as the slight underdog in this clash by the bookmakers. Germany head-coach Hansi Flick could bring in a number of changes to the starting line-up after the insipid performance against Japan in the opening match of the World Cup. It has now turned this game into a must-win fixture for Germany and a defeat might seal a 2nd successive first-round exit if Japan manages to get a point against Costa Rica in the other game from Group E.
With a 1-0 half-time lead, Germany looked set to complete the expected win against Japan but complacency and overconfidence allowed the opposition to seal a historic result. Germany had 3/4th of the possession and more than twice as many attempts on goal yet it failed to assert its dominance and squandered many decent scoring chances. The defence has been a cause of concern for a long while now while the absence of a proven goal-scoring centre-forward is another worrying problem.
Hansi Flick is unlikely to shift away from the 4-2-3-1 formation that Germany normally uses but he will definitely make some alterations to the line-up. Nevertheless, Manuel Neuer will stay between the posts even if the 36-year old was partly at fault in both the goals Germany conceded in the previous game. Nico Schlotterbeck and Antonio Rüdiger may remain as the centre-back pairing but Thilo Kehrer should come in place of Niklas Süle at right-back with David Raum on the left-side of the defence.
Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gündogan are likely to remain as the central midfield-pairing even though Germany could not create many clear-cut chances despite having the lion’s share of the possession. Serge Gnabry had a decent outing and should keep his place on the left-wing while Leroy Sané is likely to start on the left-side after playing no part in the last game. Kai Havertz was largely ineffective as the lone centre-forward so Thomas Müller might be pushed into the role with Jama Musiala taking up the no.10 position.
Probable starting XI: Manuel Neuer (gk), Nico Schlotterbeck, Antonion Rüdiger, Thilo Kehrer, David Raum, Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gündogan, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Thomas Müller.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Top Betting Tips
1st Goal: Germany at 2.08 on Cyber Bet
Desperately needing a victory, Germany will want to make a strong start to this match and take an early lead if they can. Spain was hardly tested from a defensive standpoint in the opening fixture so it might need some time to get to full speed during this match.
Draw No Bet: Germany at 2.04 on Cyber Bet
While a stalemate looks the most probable result, Spain will certainly not be playing for a point although it will employ a more cautious approach to this game. Germany has to take all 3 points to stay alive in the World Cup so it will throw all its weight to get a win.
Spain Total Goals: Over 1.5 at 2.04 on Cyber Bet
Spain has the ability to score goals from all across the pitch even though it rarely plays with a natural centre-forward. So they should score a couple of times against a leaky German defence that has not earned a clean-sheet in the last 8 competitive matches.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Extra Betting Tips
Spain to Score in Both Halves: Yes at 3.10 on Cyber Bet
Both Halves Over 1.5: Yes at 4.19 on Cyber Bet
1st Half Result & Both Teams to Score: Draw & Yes at 5.49 on Cyber Bet
Match Prediction
Spain 2-2 Germany at 8.54 on Cyber Bet
Only The Best Betting Tips And Predictions From Eaglebet
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