Spain and Saudi Arabia go clash for World Cup Group H on Sunday, 21 June, and our betting expert dey expect Lamine Yamal to inspire Spain to victory for a match wey no go get plenty goals.
Spain bin be favourite for the World Cup before e start, but dem make disappointing opening. Despite holding 74% of the possession, dem no fit break down Cabo Verde for match wey finish 0-0.
That one na third draw for La Roja for dia last four matches. However, dem don go more than two years without defeat, except for penalty shootout loss for Nations League.
Saudi Arabia begin with 1-1 draw against Uruguay, meaning all four teams for Group H get one point each. The Green Falcons don only play four matches since dem appoint Giorgos Donis as dia new coach for April.
Dia only victory under the Greek come via 3-0 margin for friendly against Puerto Rico.
Spain expected lineup: Simon, Cucurella, Laporte, Cubarsi, Llorente, Fabian, Rodri, Pedri, Ferran, Oyarzabal, Yamal. Saudi Arabia expected lineup: Al-Owais, Al-Harbi, Al-Amri, Al-Tambakti, Abdulhamid, Kanno, Al-Khaibari, Al-Dawsari, Al-Juwayr, Al-Shamat, Al-Buraikan.
Spain slow opening display resemble some of dia other recent World Cup performances. Dem don win only three of dia 12 matches for the competition since dem lift trophy for 2010.
Dia style of play often slow and predictable for global stage. Dem come up against inspired goalkeeping display from Cabo Verde Vozinha for Matchday 1. But Luis de la Fuente likely dey frustrated say im side create only two big chances.
Having secure one point, Saudi Arabia highly likely to replicate the Blue Sharks approach. Dem also expect to drop deep and limit the space Spain get to play in.
Saudi Arabia don only concede one first-half goal for dia past five matches. Dem bin dey 1-0 up at break against Uruguay for dia opening fixture. Backing Donis team to be at least level at interval again fit be smart bet.
Three of the last four Spain fixtures don end with 0-0 or 1-1 scorelines. Dem also dey frustrated by Egypt for goalless friendly for March. Those recent results suggest this team dey currently operate below the level wey dem set when dem win Euro 2024.
That one no be great surprise because two of La Roja key attacking players don dey deal with fitness issues. Nico Williams and Yamal both only come for final 20 minutes against Cabo Verde. Williams fit settle for place on bench again for Matchday 2.
Mikel Merino, wey score six goals for six qualifying games, also lack match sharpness after injury. Saudi Arabia don score one or fewer goals for seven of dia past eight internationals.
The big positive for Spain heading into Matchday 2 na say Yamal go ready to start. He come lively when he come on against Cabo Verde and create one clear opportunity for Mikel Oyarzabal.
E also dey striking how regularly the Iberians immediately aim to get Yamal on the ball. If this match also develop into tight affair, the 18-year-old go dey heavily involved.
Having register four assists at Euro 2024, Yamal na the standout creative force for this Spain side. Since that tournament, he don set up 24 goals for 63 appearances for La Liga.
The teenager don finish with the most assists for Spanish top flight for each of the past two seasons. The Barcelona winger also create three goals during Spain World Cup qualifying campaign, despite only appearing two times.
