No Group match in any round can top Spain vs. Portugal. It is a bet the World Cup showdown of super powers. Two elite clubs with world class superstars. Punters throughout the world have analyzed this for months. Time and again every factor has been taken into consideration. For many this epic showdown marks the true World Cup opening. No other pairing can top it. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are something of a wild card. Or perhaps the ultimate joker. David Silva and Spain are a top tier favorite. But one that has much to prove.
2018 FIFA World Cup Spain vs. Portugal
Date and Time: Friday, June 15, 2018, 2 p.m. ET
Location: Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
FIFA World Cup Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | -½ (+108) | 2 (-132) |  |
| Portugal | +½ (-123) | 2 (+117) | |
| |||
Spain vs. Portugal TV Coverage: FOX
What to Expect From this Match
Spain is a +585 to win the World Cup. La Roja is a -210 chalk to win Group B. Portugal is a +2350 pick to win the tournament. The Navigators are a +205 second selection to win Group B. This match is the World Cup opener for both teams. Both are likely to make the final 16. But the winner of this match will have inside track to win the Group. By luck of the draw did they end up in the same group. Or perhaps bad luck of the draw that is.
Spain
Spain was the 2010 champion. However, since that time they have been an underachiever. They fell on their face in the 2014 World Cup. It was quite the humiliation. The 2016 Euro was another terrible failure. And it caused a coaching change. Julen Lopetegui took over the reins after the Euro debacle. He has not lost in 19 matches since taking over. Le Roja has posted 13 wins and six draws under his command. Spain’s improvement has made them a Bet the World Cup favorite.
Portugal
Conversely, Portugal has flashed a championship pose recently. They won the 2016 Euro over highly regarded France. And did so with Ronaldo out of the match with a knee injury. Head coach Fernando Santos is doing his best to downplay expectations. He claims that The Navigators are not a top tier sportsbook online team. But with the world’s best player in Ronaldo his claims don’t sell. Especially after winning the Euro without him.
CR7 vs Isco
There are not enough superlatives to describe the genius Ronaldo. Nobody can dominate the pitch like CR7. He is Portugal’s all time leading goal scorer. Ronaldo has 81 career goals and 149 caps for Portugal. Each year the question is who will surpass Ronaldo as the greatest. Nobody is yet to take the baton. For Spain Isco has emerged as a sensational midfielder that can do it all. He posted five goals and two assists in eight qualification matches. As a pro for Real Madrid he catapulted to elite World Class status.
Matchup to Watch
You can’t ask for a better Bet the World Cup match. As loaded as La Roja is The Navigators boast Ronaldo. And the most recent championship success. Can anyone say power underdog?
Bet the World Cup: World Cup Betting Odds Picks
Portugal is an exceptional proven value with the best player on the pitch.
World Cup Betting Online Pick: Portugal
World Cup Betting Online Score Prediction: Portugal 2, Spain 1
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