Spain vs Norway
EURO Qualification
Date: 25 March 2023, Saturday
Kick-off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: Estadio La Rosaleda (Malaga).
Malaga’s Estadio La Rosaleda will play host to Spain’s opening game of the 2024 EURO qualifying campaign on Saturday evening.
La Furia Roja will face the toughest test in Group A right at the beginning of the qualifying adventure as they play host to Norway, the main challengers in the battle for the top spot in the section.
The match will mark a debut on the bench for new manager Luis de la Fuente who took over Luis Enrique straight after the World Cup failure and the R16 defeat at the hands of latter semifinalist Morocco.
De la Fuente can feel relief after the latest news as Premier League’s top scorer Erling Haaland has withdrawn from the national team duty through a groin injury.
Norway’s entire game depends largely on one of the best strikers on the planet. Real Sociedad’s Alexander Sorloth will thus likely lead the line for the Vikings who will be led by Arsenal’s midfield maestro Martin Odegaard.
De la Fuente has made some interesting cuts as this Spanish roster does not have the likes of Jordi Alba, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pau Torres, Eric Garcia, Pedri (injury), Koke, Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio, and Ansu Fati (among others) in it.
Spain have won three and drawn one of four World Cup qualifiers on home soil in the previous qualifying campaign, conceding only two goals in the process.
On the other side, none of Norway’s last four World Cup qualification affairs has seen three or more goals scored.
Spain vs Norway Head-to-head
- Spain will go into this on the back of four wins, two draws, and one defeat in the previous seven clashes against Norway.
- These two teams met each other in the previous EURO qualifying campaign when Spain took four points from two games against the Scandinavians.
- Both teams were on target in three of the previous four head to head outings.
Spain vs Norway Prediction
Spain to win to nil stands out at the 2.00 odds knowing La Furia Roja allowed just two goals in four home clashes in the previous qualifying campaign (ahead of the World Cup in Qatar). Also, Norway will be without their talisman Erling Haaland through injury.
Since the Spaniards may struggle to get things going offensively under new manager, we are tempted to take the 1-0 correct score pick at the 6.50 odds.
Spain vs Norway Betting Tips
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Spain to win to nil @ 2.00 (1/1)
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Correct Score: Spain 1-0 @ 6.50 (11/2) odd.
