Spain and Germany meet in their second Group E fixture on Sunday, and we take a look at the match in our latest 2022 World Cup betting picks.
It’s fair to say both sides had contrasting fortunes in their respective opening matches. The Germans played first, and they managed to add their name to the ever growing list of teams to be shocked by so called minnows in Qatar.
After going into a routine 1-0 lead over Japan in their opening fixture on Wednesday, the Germans somehow managed to end up losing the match 2-1.
This already leaves the Germans in a perilous state in Group E, because if Japan can also beat Costa Rica, Hansi Flick’s team will be out if they lose to Spain. And Costa Rica already looks like the whipping boys of the group!
As for the Spanish, the team that struggles to score goals. Yes, them. Well they thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening match. Goals from Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Ferran Torres (2), Gavi, Carlos Soler, and even the goal shy Alvaro Morata, saw Spain get six different players on the scoresheet.
If Luis Garcia’s team can get scoring goals regularly, then suddenly they become a real threat to win the trophy, as we’ll see in the latest betting to win the 2022 World Cup.
The best world cup betting sites have slashed Spain’s odds to lift the trophy for the second time to +675 favorites. Brazil still leads the way on +250, with France and England next at +700, and Argentina at +850.
The Germans are now a massive +2800. To think they could be out a mere seven days after the competition started is astonishing.
In the betting to win Group E, Spain are now -450, with Japan next at +450. The Germans are +850, and Costa Rica are +25000.
In betting to qualify from Group E, Spain lead the way at -2000. Next is Japan at -300, who are followed by Germany at +200, and Costa Rica at +2000. Things really already do look bleak for the 2014 champions.
These odds are taken from the Bovada website. You can read more about them at our Bovada sportsbook review, where you can also find details about their latest new customers offer.
As we’ve already alluded to, this is the second Group E fixture for both these sides. It’s fair to say Germany are already in a hole, but they do have the bonus of knowing what they need to do on the night, as they kick off after Japan face Costa Rica.
The match is at the Al Bayt Stadium. This will be the first time either of these sides has played here since the tournament began.
It’s probably going to come as no great surprise to hear that Luis Enrique’s Spain are the favorites with best soccer betting sites. Yes, on the moneyline Spain are +138, with Germany at +200, and the draw at +260.
On the handicap market, the two sides are scratch, with Spain at -135, and Germany at +115. While over 2.5 goals is -138, and under 2.5 goals is +110.
There have been a total of 25 matches between these nations, with the results very evenly matched. Spain have won eight, there have been eight draws, and Germany has won nine.
More recently, Spain has had the upper hand. In the last meeting, in the Nations League in 2020, Spain romped to a 6-0 win. The two matches prior to that were both draws, with Germany’s last win coming in 2014.
The last time the two sides met at a world cup finals was in 2010, with Spain winning that match 1-0.
All of the above doesn’t really bode well for the Germans. They are really under pressure after that loss to Japan, and only really a win against the 2010 champions can get them off the hook.
Even then, with goal difference being the tie breaker if any teams finish the group level on points, if Japan do beat Costa Rica, the Germans are still going to have their work cut out, after Spain racked up seven against the Costa Ricans.
At the very minimum, Germany needs a draw here. I suspect they may get that, but at the same time, this is one of those matches that could really go either way.
Therefore with too much doubt for me in the match result market, I’m going to focus on the total goals market. As the Germans really have to push for the win on Sunday, I can see this being an open game. That’s the way the Spanish like to play as well, and I can see a few goals in this one.
Over 2.5 goals is -138, and I can see that winning, and make it my betting pick. If pushed to pick a match result, I’d go with the draw.