Gamblers have waited four long years to get back into action with the World Cup odds. Spain is one of the teams that has captured the imagination of the betting community. Certainly, Spain has more talent than almost any other team on the board. But as we saw in 2018, talent is not enough to win soccer’s greatest prize. Spain was undone four years ago by internal strife. Things are more stable as action begins. And other traditional powers are drawing most of the handle. Hence, there is the belief that Spain could offer hidden value.
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2022 World Cup – Top Games This Week
Spain vs. Costa Rica Betting World Cup Information
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, November 23, 2022, 11 a.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Al Thumama Stadium |
| TV Coverage: | FOX and Telemundo |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | +2 ( EV ) | 2½,3 ( -120 ) | +1913 | |
| Spain | -2 ( -120 ) | 2½,3 ( EV ) | -650 |  |
| Draw | – | – | +656 | |
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Spain will attack their sports betting opponents, which is part of the appeal to gamblers and fans. Indeed, Spain wants the ball and to set the tempo. It’s a daring style that left them more vulnerable to blips in form and confidence. To show, they drew their first World Cup qualifying match, at home, to an ultra-defensive Greece. Following that, Dani Olmo’s added-time goal won an important three points in Georgia. And then a defeat in Sweden was avenged in the final group match. Certainly, it was a thrill ride. But Spain proved to be a merited group.
Namely, Pedri is a special, potentially epoch-marking footballer. Vision, technique, timing, temperament, and tempo all flow from the midfielder. He will be the best player on the pitch.
Consider some of the talent-heavy teams Costa Rica will be up against in the group stage. Thus, Costa Rica happily puts numbers behind the ball and protects their goal. Expect a defensive strategy with long passes and counterattacks from manager Luis Fernando Suarez.
Los Ticos can be incredibly tough to break down. For example, Costa Rica often makes opponents take their chances with low-quality shots that can miss the target.
Netherlands vs. Ecuador Betting World Cup Information
| Date and Time: | Friday, November 25, 2022, 11 a.m. p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | |
| TV Coverage: | FOX and Telemundo |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecuador | +½,+1 ( -105 ) | 2½ ( +110 ) | +460 | |
| Netherlands | -½,-1 ( -115 ) | 2½ ( -130 ) | -151 | |
| Draw | – | – | +277 | |
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Netherlands took on Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, and Gibraltar in World Cup qualifying Group G under coach Frank de Boer. However, they started their campaign with a painful 4-2 loss against Turkey, thanks to a hat trick from Burak Yilmaz. Following the bad World Cup betting odds start, the team recovered quickly with wins over Latvia (2-0) and Gibraltar (7-0).
Following a disappointing exit at the round-of-16 stage to the Czech Republic, De Boer departed. Subsequently, Louis van Gaal took charge in August. And then Netherlands went on a seven-match unbeaten run to end the qualifying stage as group winners. The biggest strength of this squad is the solid defense. To show, Netherlands conceded eight goals in 10 games in World Cup qualifying. Also, they have the advantage of being a close-knit group. The players will work hard for each other. And it’s hard to win against this solid team. Consider that the team is still unbeaten under Van Gaal after 11 wins and four draws.
Ecuador collapsed after a good start on the road to Russia in 2018. There was plenty of turmoil and a procession of coaches until they appointed Gustavo Alfaro. Correlate that it proved an inspired choice. At the time, no one saw Ecuador as contenders. But Alfaro has proved an excellent fit.