The top choice in the Spain vs Austria prediction for today's FIFA World Cup Round of 32 game is Spain (3 p.m. ET), which has been my favorite for a while. But Spain is on the minus side at about -335 to win, the draw is +450 and Austria is +1100. This will be a defensive battle with Spain, who haven't scored a goal since their 0-0 draw with San Mames last time, and Austria, who are undoubtedly a high pressing team.
Key Takeaways:
The whole week has been a build-up towards the big face-off between Spain vs Austria Prediction today Thursday 2nd July and in a Round of 32 match-up that could change the bracket. Spain are coming in as reigning European champions and one of the tournament favourites, whereas Austria are looking for their first knockout stage success in a different World Cup format forty years ago. The Round of 16 is in the balance now, and with a date with Portugal or Croatia in the mix, this is the sort of match for which fans make their afternoon.
How each team got here: Spain finished Group H first with a surprising 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, followed by a 4-0 victory against Saudi Arabia and a 1-0 victory over Uruguay. After a 3-1 victory against Jordan, Austria lost a bitter 2-0 contest to Argentina, before salvaging a wild 3-3 draw with Algeria with a goal from Sasa Kalajdzic at the end to book their first knockout-stage qualification in decades.
Recent form and momentum: Spain have conceded not once in three games, but their percentage of goals from the chances and possession they have created has been disappointing. Austria's shape is more unpredictable – they've been going in and out of control on the wing, shipping six goals in three games, but have been solid when they've had the ball in their own half.
Spain and Austria have met in the World Cup three times, twice with a win margin and a draw in 2000. They had only faced each other once competitively on this stage in 1978, when Austria beat Spain. In addition, two sides played a friendly match in 2009, with Spain coming victorious. History, however, is never linear, and when it suits their purposes, it can be a stunner on the biggest stage for the Austrians.
Unai Simón (GK); Marcos Llorente, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Mikel Merino, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Álex Baena
Luis de la Fuente is likely to continue with his starting lineup of three in the middle and back four who have kept three consecutive shutouts. The bigger story is front and center: Wingers Nico Williams and Yéremy Pino both picked up injuries against Uruguay, so Yamal and Baena have even greater creative responsibilities. Oyarzabal is Spain's top scorer with two goals to date and will continue to be the central figure of the attack.
Alexander Schlager (GK); Stefan Posch, Philipp Lienhart, Kevin Danso, Konrad Laimer; Nicolas Seiwald, Xaver Schlager; Romano Schmid, Paul Wanner, Marcel Sabitzer; Sasa Kalajdzic
has two question marks to keep an eye on when it comes to fitness. David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic had both suffered an injury against Algeria and are sprinting to be fit, while Danso and Kalajdzic are waiting in the wings to replace them if necessary. Kalajdzic has scored a great goal in the match against Algeria and it's sure that he is the best man to start at the top.
Patient possession, built-up play from behind the box (Uruguay had only 68% possession) and an aggressive, compact defense that has yet to concede the tournament (Uruguay's expected-goals-against, at three games, is 0.54). The problem is clear: Spain have been unable to convert control into scoring without having their own centre-forward, and have come to rely on Yamal's individual brilliance to break down opponents. Rodri will be able to set up de la Fuente's fullbacks to track high and to crush the wings.
Rangnick's Austria sport a dangerous, yet thrilling style of football: pressing for a break, vertical build-up, and a willingness to pass the ball away from the goal. It's a style that has been scoring at both ends, as Austria's games so far have seen four goals on average. They know how to beat them on paper: to press high up the Spanish midfield, to force turnovers before Spain can get going and to make the most of the space that the Spanish attacking line can create.
The midfield for the match-up between Rodri and Merino in the middle versus Seiwald and Xaver Schlager could be the key. If Austria's press had a similar effect on Spain's build-up as it did on Algeria's then, it may be harder than many think these days. On the contrary, if the Spaniards get a rhythm going, then the high defensive line of the Austrians will become a burden against Yamal's pace.
For Spain, Álex Baena has been in the shadow of his headliner, but he has the technical skill that will allow him to out-fool a side that wants to defend Spain's main attraction. Romano Schmid, on the other hand, is a direct threat for Austria down the middle which could be the key to release the Spanish defence.
Expect a game of patience, rather than pyrotechnics, especially in light of Spain's defensive strength and their obvious class superiority. The Spaniards must take control of the game but can be forced to play with a well-organised, high-pressing Austrian team again.
Predicted scoreline: Spain 2-0 Austria
It is always advisable to bet responsibly, and odds may change prior to kickoff — be sure to always check the latest lines with your sportsbook of choice, OKBet Sports Betting.
The victor of this Spain vs Austria match-up advances to a bigweight Round of 16 meeting with the victor of Portugal vs Croatia, one of the best of the remaining games on this side of the bracket. If they win in Spain, they will maintain the possibility of continuing the journey to the World Cup and even have a chance to qualify for the first time since 2010. An Austria defeat, meanwhile, would be one of the biggest shocks in the tournament to date and give them a golden chance against a Portugal or Croatia team who will be weary from the group stage.
Pay attention to Austria's pressure in the early 20 minutes, the Spanish reaction from the wings in the form of Yamal and Baena, the midfield battle of Rodri and the double pivot of the Austrians, and the reactions of both benches when the game is level at the end of the hour. Set pieces may also be crucial with Austria having the advantage of being tall in the box.
This is a Spain vs Austria prediction that will be characterised by a lot of caution and few goals, and the Spaniards' control and discipline should prevail in the end, despite a few finishing weaknesses that will make for a tense contest. Austria have proved they can cause chaos and their aggressive attack will give them a legitimate but modest chance of an upset. Regardless, the victor will play in one of the most appealing Rounds of 16 matchups during the tournament. Watch for the full-time scores, and if you're following the score with a wager down, live in-play markets are available to keep you up to speed as the game progresses, such as on platforms offering live sports betting, like .
Odds and lineups may change prior to kick-off. Be sure to double check final team news and current odds with your sportsbook before wagering.
With a moneyline around -335 to +1100 for Austria, the Spaniards are the big boys.
The combination of 4-3-3 is usually a good way to go, with Rodri in the middle and Yamal and Baena on the wing, but there are various previews that suggest they might be 4-1-2-3 with Rodri as a central pivot.
The names to be on the lookout for are Sasa Kalajdzic, Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba (fitness permitting) and Konrad Laimer.
The value angle is Spain to win, combined with Under 2.5 goals as Spain are a poor defender, and have no natural finisher.
The winner will play either Portugal or Croatia in the round of 16s.
