Spain have conceded in their three recent meetings with South American opponents
Both teams have scored in five of Uruguay’s last seven games
Recommended bet: Both teams to score
Spain had a shock in their opener in Group H when Cape Verde held them to a goalless draw, but the European champions were back to their dominant best with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in their second game.
Luis de la Fuente’s side now head the group and will guarantee qualification with a draw or win in their final game.
Marcelo Bielsa is under massive pressure as Uruguay boss after draws against Saudi Arabia (1-1) and Cape Verde (2-2) left La Celeste teetering on the brink of elimination.
Talk is rife of disharmony in the squad and unhappiness at Bielsa’s approach and now Uruguay need to beat Spain to guarantee qualification.
If they draw, a top-two finish is only possible if Cape Verde also draw with Saudi Arabia, and they could be left hoping for a third-place route.
The latest Uruguay vs Spain odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Team news
Agustin Canobbio is set to keep his place in the Uruguay midfield after his goal-scoring contribution against Cape Verde. That could mean no starting place for striker Darwin Nunez again.
Lamine Yamal was fit enough to start for Spain against Saudi Arabia and scored the opening goal after 10 minutes. Having played only the first half, he should be available for longer if required.
Nico Williams has had two substitute appearances on the other flank and looks to be getting closer to full fitness but is an unlikely starter.
The latest Uruguay vs Spain odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
The stats
Spain are unbeaten in 90 minutes in 33 competitive games.
Uruguay are winless in six games, although five have been draws.
The sides drew 0-0 at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
Since then Spain have won four and drawn one of their five meetings.
Four of those last five meetings had over 2.5 goals.
The latest Uruguay vs Spain odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Prediction
Spain are strong favourites, as you would expect of a team with their recent tournament record and long unbeaten run in competitive games.
The start to this World Cup always looked a bit problematic, given that first-choice wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were both coming back from injury, and it would be reasonable to envisage an upward curve in their form as the tournament goes on.
That trajectory was set with the 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, following the goalless draw with Cape Verde, but there is no doubt this is their most difficult group fixture.
Uruguay’s results have been disappointing for their fans but their performances have shown plenty of promise, even if they have been a little disjointed.
In two games La Celeste have had 44 attempts at goal, with 25 from inside the penalty area, and they have the attacking talent to create chances against Spain.
The imperative for Uruguay to score might well increase, depending on how the other match in Group H is going, and that could lead to an open game in Zapopan.
Back both teams to score at 10/11 with LiveScore Bet.
Score prediction: Uruguay 1-2 Spain
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