The Odds
- To win the World Cup: +625
- To win Group B: -205
- To advance to Round of 16: -1110
Bet to Watch
Spain to reach the final +300
Spain enter the tournament among the favorites for good reason, though there’s still real value to be had on La Roja to go the distance this summer. The 2010 champions have arguably the strongest starting XI at the tournament, and while they may not have the same depth in all positions that the likes of Germany or even France can boast, if coach Julen Lopetegui can rotate wisely during the group stages, then there’s little reason why they couldn’t reclaim the crown.
There’s not been a great deal of turnover in the squad from the Euros two years back, but the likes of Saul Niguez and Marco Asensio have developed superbly over that time and will be valuable options to keep legs fresh. Where Spain are perhaps a little lacking is in the form of a world-class striker, but the likes of Diego Costa, Iago Aspas and Rodrigo all buy into the coach’s way of thinking and are willing runners up top. That trio's movement is key to creating the space for onrushing midfielders to make untracked runs into the box, which is an area in which the likes of Thiago and Isco (pictured above) can thrive.
The latter has been sensational for the national side over the past year and has really benefited, along with a number of players on the squad, with working alongside Lopetegui in the youth setups. The appointment of the former Porto boss wasn’t a particularly glamorous one, but having coached the under-19s, under-20s and under-21s between 2010 and 2014, he’s familiar with the younger players in the group and has revitalized a side that was stagnating somewhat under Vicente del Bosque.
Lopetegui is still unbeaten as boss of the senior side, with 13 wins and five draws over the last two years, and there’s no reason why Spain can’t stay that way up until the very latter stages of the tournament. A meeting with Germany may well lay ahead in the semifinals, and as such Spain are down as fourth favorites to reach the showpiece match in Moscow. There's some value on them to stick around until the very end.
More World Cup Betting Coverage
- Group A: Russia | Saudi Arabia | Egypt | Uruguay
- Group B: Portugal | Morocco | Iran | Spain
- Group C: France | Australia | Peru | Denmark
- Group D: Argentina | Iceland | Croatia | Nigeria
- Group E: Brazil | Costa Rica | Switzerland | Serbia
- Group F: Germany | Mexico | Sweden | South Korea
- Group G: Belgium | Panama | Tunisia | England
- Group H: Poland | Senegal | Colombia | Japan
