Spain vs Russia
It’s been billed by the hosts as the ‘match of a lifetime’.
And no wonder, for World Cup 2018 has already been more successful than what many Russians ever imagined.
But imagine, just imagine the local euphoria – from Moscow to Samara, from Volgograd to Saint Petersburg – if the host nation could overcome SBOBET odds, not to mention most World Cup 2018 predictions, and knock out the 2010 world champions.
In the words of Russian forward Artem Dzyuba, only if they play at 200-300 per cent can they spring a major surprise.
Talking Points
After a lousy set of results in the build-up to the tournament, their World Cup 2018 results have given the country a genuine lift.
Indeed, the manner of success against Saudi Araba and Egypt seemed to genuinely surprise home fans before something of a reality check against Uruguay.
There remain few illusions about their prospects of facing Spain at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, even with Alan Dzagoev back in training (although not expected to start) and midfielder Aleksandr Erokhin recovering from a foot problem.
Igor Smolnikov will miss the match through suspension.
Yet what seemed a mismatch even three weeks ago perhaps isn’t quite as much now since Russia defied their lowly world ranking to reach the knockout phase for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
A partisan home crowd will undoubtedly help against a country whose preparations for the World Cup were thrown into turmoil just days before the tournament started when coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked and replaced by Fernando Hierro.
The classy Hierro guided them to the top spot in Group B but is expected to make changes after they limped through their final group match, a 2-2 draw with Morocco.
Koke could be selected in the starting line-up, possibly in place of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago. Likewise, Marco Asensio is tipped by many to figure.
That world champions Germany are out of the tournament may have given their major rivals a lift, but Spain should also be buoyed by the fact they are now in what is deemed the more favourable side of the draw.
If they keep winning, La Roja would not face Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, France, Portugal or Mexico before the final on July 15.
There was a little media exchange in the build-up to this game.
Not surprisingly, it focused on the controversial Spanish captain Sergio Ramos who a Russian journalist referred to in a somewhat derogatory manner.
However justified it may be for the defender’s mastery of the dark arts, the journalist’s description of Ramos as Mohamed Salah’s ‘gravedigger’ – in reference to an incident in last month’s Champions League final – and Diego Costa as a ‘dirty player’ did not go unnoticed by Spanish journalists at the same media conference.
Comments like this though are pretty tame when you go back through history.
Indeed, the very first meeting between these two nations was more than 50 years ago and was described as one of the most politicised football matches ever.
This time there is no such backdrop, although it will be interesting to see if Russia president Vladimir Putin will be at the match – he hasn’t been since their opening victory in the tournament.
History
In six meetings between the countries, Spain have won four and drawn two – the most recent being an exciting 3-3 draw last November when Russia twice fought from behind after two Ramos penalties had given them the advantage.
They also met twice during Euro 2008 when Spain won 4-1 and 3-0 (in a group stage and a semi-final) on way to winning the tournament.
But it’s the former Soviet Union which Spain have a most famous footballing history with.
The 1964 European Championship Final, along with the final of Euro 88, is the closest Russia have ever been to securing a major championship success.
That was also much more than just a game!
What are the odds?
Spain are overwhelming favourites, although if it takes them until to extra-time to prevail to the quarter-finals you can potentially have a nice pay-out with odds of outright Spain Extra-Time @ 9.50, compared to 1.60 in normal time.
For Spain to lead at both half-time and full-time the odds on AA are @ 2.15, with Asian Handicap -1.00 Spain @ 2.14 and over 2.50 goals @ 2.21.
1X2 odds on Russia stand at 5.60 with the draw @ 3.80 and 1X2 Spain @ 1.59.
The First Half 1X2 for España is a bet worth considering @ 2.24.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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