Norway vs Spain
All roads lead to the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo for a Sunday Euro 2024 qualifiers showdown where Norway vs. Spain is the box office draw.
Hosts Germany, alongside heavyweights France, Belgium, and Portugal have all qualified for the flagship competition and England are within a whisker, so Spain will not want to hang around for long before they confirm their place.
Norway are still in the hunt, but if they lose to La Roja, then they will need to rely on the play-off lottery.
The hosts are on a roll and will fancy their chances against Spain. After going winless in their opening three fixtures, the Lions have picked up nine points from the last three, two wins over Cyprus and one over Georgia, to haul themselves back into contention.
They are aiming to qualify for their first Euro finals in 24 years but, while there is less pressure on their visitors who have two more chances to confirm their place against the minnows of Georgia and Cyprus, La Roja will be keen to get the job done this weekend.
It all adds up to a mouthwatering clash so let’s take a closer look at the two teams.
Talking Points
Haaland has found his range for Norway
Norway’s scoring machine Erling Haaland bagged twice as his team swept Cyprus aside last week, and he will be the main and constant threat to the Spain defence on Sunday.
In domestic football, Haaland has been a little quieter in recent weeks. And while Manchester City have made a perfect start in the Champions League, they have stuttered in the Premier League.
But the giant hitman has been consistently on target for his country with six goals from four appearances in these qualifiers. He smashed in his two goals in seven second-half minutes to break the Cypriots, while Villarreal striker Alexander Sorloth hit his second of the campaign and Benfica star Fredrik Aursnes was also on target.
Captained by Arsenal’s excellent skipper Martin Odegaard and with Burnley’s Sander Berge alongside him, Norway have plenty of creative muscle, and now they need to show it against top class opposition.
They are five points behind leaders Scotland and two behind Spain, and head coach Stale Solbakken knows his side needs to produce more positive Euro 2024 results to keep their slim hopes of automatic qualification alive.
If Haaland gets the service he needs, then Norway have a real chance.
Zaragoza takes his opportunity to shine
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has a young squad, and he’s not afraid to use players in this qualification phase to help them gain experience.
He gave winger Bryan Zaragoza his first cap in last week’s win over Scotland, and the Granada man took his chance when he came on, showing an electric turn of pace to leave the Scotland defence floundering.
Zaragoza looks an exciting prospect and he will hope to make a start ahead of Barcelona youngster Ferran Torres.
Spain’s game against Scotland was a home banker according to pretty much everyone including us here at SBOTOP, but it wasn’t all plain sailing.
73 minutes had passed before La Roja broke the tartan defence, although with 75-per cent possession, 18 shots to four, and five to one on target, it was one-way traffic.
Zaragoza’s introduction made a difference as Spain became more incisive, and Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet, whose effort was deflected home by Scotland defender Ryan Porteus, won the points.
Morata, with four goals so far, will lead the line again, while Gavi should make the first XI having played the full 90 against the Scots. Joselu will be vying for a start alongside Joselu, while de la Fuente could well make space for Zaragoza in a wide role.
History
La Roja have had the better of the head-to-heads this century, winning four of the six meetings, drawing one, and losing one.
Spain won the return match in this qualification, the first of the competition as Joselu, with a brace, and Dani Olmo fired the hosts to a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Recent form has been strong for both teams. Norway are on a winning streak of four and three at home, while Spain have won their last five matches.
Betting Tip
The pre-match Euro 2024 betting odds are pushing a Roja victory at a price of 1.97, while Norway can be backed at 3.20.
Ranked seventh in the world by FIFA and 34 places ahead of Norway, de la Fuente’s side should have the edge, but it won’t be easy against the resurgent Lions in front of their own fans.
The most likely scoreline is 1-1 at 5.60, and that will probably suit La Roja, as well as Scotland, who could then pack their bags for Germany.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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