Ranked #1 by FIFA, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain are aiming to take another step towards FIFA World Cup qualification (WCQ) when they host Georgia in Elche.
Match News and Current Form
European champions Spain made the perfect start to this WCQ cycle, dispatching Turkey and Bulgaria - both away from home - by a combined scoreline of 9-0. Their 6-0 demolition of Turkey was particularly eye-catching, but perhaps not surprising for a nation that will go into next year’s World Cup as favourites should they qualify. A slip-up here certainly appears unlikely given that La Roja have lost just one WCQ game since March 1993 (W58, D14), while they’ve never been beaten in WCQ action on home turf!
Georgia face an away double header in this window as they travel to Turkey after this, making it a make or break week in their quest to reach a first-ever World Cup finals. A matchday one defeat at home to Turkey could prove extremely costly on that front, but Willy Sagnol’s men at least recovered to thrash Bulgaria and remain in contention ahead of this trip. It’s certainly not one the Crusaders will be relishing given their dreadful record in this sphere, as they’ve won just three of their last 40 WCQ matches (D13, L24)!
Head-to-Head History
Georgia boast just one victory over Spain (L7), with that coming in the only friendly between them back in 2016 (1-0). Spain have won the last four H2Hs by an aggregate score of 18-3, most recently winning 4-1 in the last 16 of Euro 2024.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Spain have scored 2+ goals in each of their last nine games.
Eight of Spain’s last ten H2H goals have come after half-time.
None of Georgia’s last 13 away games (excludes Euro 2024 finals) have ended level (W7, L6).
Georgia’s last four defeats were all by a single-goal margin.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal has become a mainstay of the Spanish team for good reason, as he’s been involved in eight goals in his last five international appearances (G4, A4). Georges Mikautadze can match that tally across his last six Georgia games (G7, A1), while he’s also netted in his last two matches for Villarreal against Juventus and Real Madrid!
Spain are missing arguably their two best players with Lamine Yamal and Rodri both ruled out here. Despite missing PSG’s last two matches, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks set to be fit for Georgia.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Despite some notable absentees, everything points to a handicap Spain victory returning a profit.
Author: Ryan Fisher