A European Footballing powerhouse takes on one of Euro 2024's Fairytale teams. Al Ross gives his best tips for this knockout clash.
You can count on one hand the number of teams who’ve impressed me so far at this tournament, and these are two of them.
Georgia’s 2-0 win over Portugal will go down in Euros history, but don’t expect a repeat of that scoreline here. Even against Portugal, Georgia had just 28% possession, 1 corner of the 12 that were awarded, 6 shots to their opponents 23. Against a side who’d basically already qualified top of the group. Georgia are 16/1. You could put a 0 on the end and I wouldn’t back it.
Spain have arguably been the best team in Germany. Early wins against Croatia and Italy meant that while Georgia were chasing Portugal for 72% of the game, Spain were making 10 changes and still beating Albania.
This isn’t the great Spain side of a decade ago, but that Rodri/Pedri axis is one to be feared. Spain faced Georgia in qualification this tournament, and won 10-2 on aggregate. The only part I don’t see repeating is the “2”. Spain haven’t conceded a goal so far, against much better sides, and I don’t see the exhausted Georgians making any inroads. Spain the only team to score is fine at 4/5 best price with 10Bet.
Spain to win both halves at 6/4 with Betfred looks great, but Paddy Power are offering an even more interesting Spain most shots on target in each half and Georgia commit the most fouls in each half at 4/1.
I wouldn’t rule out a landslide and Spain to win by 4 or more is available at 9/2. Likewise a red card is 9/2, and if the tricky feet of Spain sees an exhausted Georgian dismissed, that landslide is really on the cards.
Georgia will return home heroes whatever happens, but you can be fairly confident here that they will return home.