World Cup Predictions & Tips | Quarter-final: Spain v Belgium

Match 98: Spain v Belgium
Location: Los Angeles Stadium
Time: 7:00am, Saturday 11 July
Head to Head: Spain Wins (6), Belgium Wins (1), Draws (1)

Key Stats

• Spain have maintained a clean sheet in 12 of their last 15 games
• Spain are unbeaten in their last 36 matches
• Under 2.5 goals is 7-1 in Spain’s last 8 knockout games in this competition
• Spain have won the last 6 meetings in this matchup
• Belgium have scored 2+ goals in 7 of their last 10

Preview

When Balogun’s suspension was rescinded, Belgium would have felt as though they were up against 350 million Americans and the tournament organisers. They opted for an attacking approach to take the crowd out of the game and succeeded by taking an early lead. The USA were able to get on level terms but that only lasted for two minutes. Another goal followed early in the second with veteran Lukaku coming off the bench and sealing the 4-1 win with a goal in injury time.

A substitute (Moreno) also scored for Spain in time added on but that goal was far more important as it was the one and only goal of the contest against Portugal. Extra time looked a virtual certainty but Spain were the only side looking to win the game and were rewarded. The 1-0 win was their 12th clean sheet from their last 15 games and extended their unbeaten run to 36 matches. Both teams to score has now hit in only 3 of their last 15 games with Under 2.5 goals holding in 7 of their last 8 knockout matches in this competition. The Spanish formula is simple – control the contest with possession, prevent the opposition from creating anything on the counter, and wait for them to make defensive errors under fatigue.

Belgium have recorded just the one clean sheet in 5 games played in the tournament and that spells danger against a Spanish side capable of creating opportunities. Belgium have scored 2+ goals in 7 of their last 10 and 12 goals across their last 3 but this is not the type of match that will feature free-flowing football. It is also a bad historical matchup for the underdogs as Spain has won the last 6 meetings which includes holding Belgium to nil in 4 of the last 5. Spain will be the only team to find the back of the net in this one.

Player To Watch

We are yet to witness anything spectacular from Lamine Yamal but this could be the game. He has recorded 2+ shots on target in 3 of his last 4 games and had more touches against Portugal (61) than any other game played in this competition. Belgium’s defence is not as strong as Portugal so he should get even more opportunities in this one. De Bruyne was notably left to watch on in the win over the USA so we can expect a repeat of that here. That makes the duo of Tielemans and Trossard value in player shot markets.

Betting Tips

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals ($2.00)
Other: HT/FT – Draw/Spain ($4.33)
Correct Score: Spain 1-0 ($8.00)
SGM: Both Teams To Score – No, Yamal 2+ Shots on Target, Trossard 2+ Shots (7.70)