Spain welcome Georgia to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday evening (7:45 BST), looking to maintain their flawless qualification campaign and tighten their stranglehold on Group E. La Roja have been in blistering form, but they'll need to cope without their star player as they aim to extend their winning streak.
Team form
Spain have been nothing short of relentless throughout qualification, reeling off five consecutive victories with a swagger that has sent a clear message to their rivals. Their most recent outing saw them dismantle Türkiye 6-0, and they've been averaging over four goals per game in their last six matches. The absence of Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal, ruled out through injury, will test their depth, but Nico Williams is primed to step in and ensure Spain's attacking threat remains potent.
Georgia, meanwhile, have shown flashes of promise but lack the consistency required at this level. Their 3-0 victory over Bulgaria provided a welcome boost, yet their away form remains unconvincing. Making matters worse, they'll be without Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a significant blow to their creative output and counter-attacking threat.
Head-to-head
The historical record makes for grim reading if you're Georgian. Spain have dominated this fixture, winning five of the last six encounters whilst scoring 20 goals and conceding just five. Georgia's sole victory came in a friendly, and they've never managed to beat Spain in a competitive setting. For context, this marks the 300ᵗʰ international match in Georgia's history, whilst Spain arrive unbeaten in their last 22 outings.
Team news
Williams' inclusion softens the blow of Yamal's absence for Spain, ensuring Luis de la Fuente's side retain their pace and directness going forward. For Georgia, losing Kvaratskhelia is a hammer blow. Without their talisman, they're likely to sit deep and look to catch Spain on the break, though that approach will demand discipline and a slice of fortune.
Key Stats
Spain have averaged 5.60 goals per game in qualification, compared to Georgia's 3.60
La Roja boast a formidable home record, conceding just 0.2 goals per first half on average
Georgia have managed clean sheets in only 40% of their matches, whilst Spain have kept them in 67% of their away fixtures
Spain's defence has been rock-solid, with just two goals conceded across their last five qualifiers
Prediction
Everything points towards a comfortable Spanish victory. With confidence surging through the squad and an attacking philosophy that has overwhelmed opponents, Spain should control possession from the off and create chances throughout. Georgia may offer stubborn resistance early on, but they won’t have Kvaratskhelia to lead their counterattacks.
Spain's technical quality and squad depth ought to prove the difference, delivering another emphatic win as they march towards the World Cup.
Predicted score: Spain 4-1 Georgia
