Spain v Portugal

Spain ace a tough tie against Portugal but they will have known that if they win their group that would get a tough game against the runners up from the group of death.

Portugal certainly aren't world beaters but they may have the tightest defence in the World Cup and Spain's attack will have to be at its best to score past Portugal.

Spain v Portugal Match Odds

Match betting is a massively popular market and the first market most punters choose to look at as your decision in this market is likely to impact all other bets you place on the game.

BACK SPAIN TO BEAT PORTUGAL

Portugal did well to get out of the group of death when many fancied Ivory Coast over them but they are heavily reliant on their amazing defensive record as they simply don't score enough goals (North Korea not a fair reflection of the World Cup standard). Spain are vulnerable at the back but Portugal don't look to have enough to test them and if any team has the brilliant strikers capable of breaking down Portugal's defence it is Spain, who are backed to win this game and progress to the next stage.

Spain v Portugal Asian Handicap Odds

The Asian Handicap is an interesting bet as it usually gives one team a lead that should be enough to cancel out any superiority the favourites for the game have.

BACK SPAIN -0.5

Since Spain are only expected to gain a narrow victory in this match Portugal may have appealed in some of the more generous handicaps but since Spain are given as -0.5 they have to be the call. Since this is effectively a bet on Spain to win the match the price should be compared to the odds of Spain winning in 90 minutes.

Spain v Portugal Goals Odds

Take a look at recent results for the two sides to help decide what the best bets are in the over/under betting and also the correct score market.

• Wednesday, 16th June 2010

  • H 16/06/2010 15:00 Spain 0 - 1 Switzerland Durban FT

• Monday, 21st June 2010

  • H 21/06/2010 19:30 Spain 2 - 0 Honduras Johannesburg FT

• Friday, 25th June 2010

  • H 25/06/2010 19:30 Chile 1 - 2 Spain Tshwane/Pretoria FT

• Tuesday, 29th June 2010

  • R16 29/06/2010 19:30 Spain 1 - 0 Portugal Cape Town FT

• Saturday, 3rd July 2010

  • QF 03/07/2010 19:30 Paraguay 0 - 1 Spain Johannesburg FT

• Wednesday, 7th July 2010

  • SF 07/07/2010 19:30 Germany 0 - 1 Spain Durban FT

• Sunday, 11th July 2010

  • FIN 11/07/2010 19:30 Holland v Spain Johannesburg

• Tuesday, 15th June 2010

  • G 15/06/2010 15:00 Ivory Coast 0 - 0 Portugal Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth FT

• Monday, 21st June 2010

  • G 21/06/2010 12:30 Portugal 7 - 0 North Korea Cape Town FT

• Friday, 25th June 2010

  • G 25/06/2010 15:00 Portugal 0 - 0 Brazil Durban FT

• Tuesday, 29th June 2010

  • R16 29/06/2010 19:30 Spain 1 - 0 Portugal Cape Town FT

BACK SPAIN TO WIN 1-0 AND UNDER 2.5 GOALS

Spain have not quite clicked and don't look full of goals yet, they scored just four goals in a realtively easy group. Portugal have an amazing defensive record, they have kept 22 clean sheets in 26 games incuding three so far at the World Cup. It is difficult to see Spain not scoring but it is difficult to see Portugal conceding two.

Portugal are low scorers too, they failed to score in two of their group games and in qualifying against some weak opposition they scored either one goal or no goals in seven different games. It seems more likely to be no goals here but either way the game should be under 2.5 goals. With Spain likely to score just one and Portugal unlikely to score the 1-0 winning scoreline for Spain looks a good bet.

Spain v Portugal Player Odds

Some of the most fun markets to bet on are the player markets, such as first goalscorer and anytime goalscorer. They are usually relatively big odds and can give plenty of reward if you pick correctly.

Spain v Portugal Team News

Xabi Alonso is a big doubt after picking up an injury against Chile, an injury that led to his second half withdrawal from the game. Portugal are expected to be at full strength in this match meaning Cristiano Ronaldo could again play the lone striking role.

BACK DAVID VILLA TO SCORE FIRST AGAINST PORTUGAL

David Villa is Spain's main goal threat despite the presence of Fernando Torres in the team, Villa outscored his international team mate at Euro 2008 and again in qualifying and has done so 3-0 at this World Cup, he has scored three quarters of Spain's goals here (he set up the other one) and looks a top bet to score first, anytime betting appeals relatively little with few goals expected in this match.

Spain v Portugal Half Time Odds

The latest tips that include the half time result in them, some of the most popular bets here are half time result and half time/full time.

BACK DRAW / SPAIN IN THE HALF TIME / FULL TIME BETTING

With Portugal so good defensively it would be no surprise at all if this game was 0-0 at half time, Spain will have to be very patient in their wait for a goal and presuming they don't become too frustrated they should be able to get their winner in the second half.

Spain v Portugal Best Bet

BACK DAVID VILLA TO SCORE FIRST

With Spain expected to be the only team that scores in this match and David Villa looking by far the most likely player to score the goal it means the best bet here has to be Villa to score the first goal against Portugal. The fact that Torres and Ronaldo will also play means that Villa's price offers plenty of value.