The three-time European champions are favourites for their opening qualification game and we think they will claim the points as well as a clean sheet
After a disappointing UEFA Nations League campaign, Spain begin Euro 2020 qualifying on Saturday evening at home to Norway.
The Scandinavian nation visit the Estadio Mestalla in Valencia knowing that La Roja lose precious few matches on home soil.
Luis Enrique’s men did, however, lose their last competitive home match against England, and some of the momentum gained under the new manager has certainly diminished.
Latest odds
Spain are offered at 9/50 (1.18) with bet365 to claim their fifth win under Luis Enrique in his seventh game in charge. Norway can be backed at 12/1 (13.00), with the draw offered at 6/1 (7.00).
Team news
Midfielder Fabian Ruiz has had to withdraw from the Spain squad after being hospitalised with a flu virus, being replaced by Atletico Madrid‘s Saul Niguez who was a surprise omission from the initial list.
Other high-profile names not in the squad include Isco, Koke and Diego Costa. Alvaro Morata and Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno are likely to battle it out for the central striker’s berth.
Norway centre-back Kristoffer Ajer has recovered from a head injury sustained while playing for Celtic at the weekend and should start.
Preview
Norway come into this game in excellent form with eight wins from their last ten matches, although the last time that Lars Lagerback’s side faced a major football nation they were beaten 6-0 by Germany in September 2017.
Indeed, Germany are the only top side that Norway have faced in the last three years and they will expect to see precious little of the ball against La Roja.
Spain’s tremendous ability to dominate possession remains their most effective defensive weapon, and if we expect a home win then a clean sheet should also be on the cards for the 2010 World Cup winners.
Tips and predictions
Spain to win to nil is offered at 8/11 (1.72) which looks like the best way to get a home win onside. The last five times that Norway have failed to score have all come away from home, while Spain have kept clean sheets at home to Croatia and Bosnia recently.
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
Spain to win to nil at 8/11 (1.72) for a 3pt stake with bet365
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