Spain vs Saudi Arabia
Pre-tournament World Cup 2026 favourites Spain hope to take a grip on Group H when they face Saudi Arabia on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
All four teams in the group are locked on one point after the first round of games, when Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja were held to a goalless draw by the minnows of Cape Verde, while the Saudis picked up a creditable point in a 1-1 draw with Uruguay. This is not a must-win game for the Spaniards, and another draw would leave both teams in contention, but the last thing de la Fuente needs is a high-pressure game against Uruguay in their final game.
Saudi Arabia have made a recent change in their dugout, drafting in former Maccabi Tel Aviv manager Georgios Donis to lead the team. He made a pretty good start against a star-studded Uruguay, but a matchup against Spain is at another level.
Talking Points
When will Yamal start for Spain?
Drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde was not a disaster for La Roja, as it is more of a mild embarrassment while the world hailed the Blue Sharks. But the World Cup 2026 betting odds have reacted a little, squeezing in the leading pack. England got off to a winning start with a tough assignment against Croatia, while France and Argentina have impressed too, with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi all starting explosively, and now Les Bleus are the marginal favourites to lift the World crown.
Spain weren’t the only nation to start slowly. Brazil were held by Morocco, and Portugal slipped up against DR Congo, who won their first-ever World Cup point. The draw with Cape Verde was a shock indeed, particularly when you look at the talent in Spain’s squad, with the likes of Rodri, Gavi, Pedri, and Ferran Torres all starting against the minnows.
But only when Barcelona’s 18-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal was introduced did La Roja find their third gear. He came on after 71 minutes, followed by Dani Olmo, Mikel Merino, and Nico Williams, but de la Fuente’s men could not break down a resolute defence and an inspired keeper.
Do Spain really need Yamal to start at the group stage? Probably not. But the player, who has been trying to shake off a hamstring injury, is reported to be desperate to start. His club and the Spain technical team are cautious, and if he does start, Yamal may be replaced around the hour mark. His direct running and skilful footwork can be too much for most defenders, and striker Mikel Oyarzabal would love to see Yamal on the flank.
Saudi Arabia knows how to ruffle feathers
The Saudis have form against the biggest of guns, famously beating eventual winners Argentina 2-1 at the beginning of the 2022 World Cup, and they were pretty impressive in their opener against Uruguay. They ceded 67-per cent possession and faced 27 shots, 10 on target, while only registering three of their own on the Uruguay goal. But after Abdulelah Al-Amri had given the underdogs a halftime lead, it took until the 80th minute for Maxi Araujo to score the South Americans’ equaliser.
1-1 against Uruguay was a fine start for the Saudis, but can they follow that up with some more spectacular World Cup 2026 results? And who bigger than Spain? In all honesty, I think they will struggle on Sunday, and the odds agree with me.
History
La Roja are at their 17th finals, first participating way back in 1934, and they were champions for the first and only time in 2010. Saudi Arabia are at the World Cup finals for the seventh time and are aiming to match their best performance, a Round of 16 place back in 1994.
Spain and Saudi Arabia have only played each other once before, back in 2006 when a goal from Juanito gave La Roja a 1-0 win. And with two and three draws from five games, La Roja’s recent form is better than the Saudis, who have won one, drawn two, and lost two.
Betting Tip
Spain are the red-hot favourites at SBOTOP odds of 1.10 to win this clash, with Saudi Arabia way out at a price of 18.00, and the Draw is at 8.60.
La Roja rained 27 shots down on the Cape Verde goal, seven of them on target, while Ferran Torres missed an absolute sitter. I expect a similar pattern against Saudi Arabia, but this time with the net bulging. And for a correct scoreline, I’d go for 4-0 to Spain at a price of 7.20.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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