Football Bet of the Day: Spain can leave Portugal in pain

The winner of the last-16 tie between Portugal and Spain will secure a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and be considered serious candidates to lift the crown.

It’s a top-level second-round knockout tie and it’s the first time that two genuine outright contenders will clash in the tournament this summer. The AT&T Stadium is set for a thrilling European showdown, and where Monday's Football Bet of the Day comes from.

Spain and Portugal both have a major hurdle to negotiate at the last-16 stage of the World Cup when the pair meet in Arlington.

The winner of the AT&T Stadium tie will see a clear path to at least the semi-finals of the World Cup and it’s a huge prize on the line.

Portugal’s midfield three of Joao Neves, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes is the strong point of Roberto Martinez’s side, but matching Spain in terms of control and keeping the ball is an almost impossible task and there isn’t enough pace or running power on Portugal's roster to disrupt La Roja.

Portugal were mighty fortunate to beat Croatia 2-1 at the last-32 and that followed a 0-0 draw with Colombia in the group stage.

Portugal vs Spain Odds

The Selection created an expected goals total of only 0.97 and conceded 24 efforts on goal against a good Colombia side and that indicates that Martinez’s men are struggling to turn control and possession into meaningful goalscoring opportunities.

Of course, they have quality in midfield areas, but Cristiano Ronaldo is lacking movement up front, and while Martinez's men can compete with Spain in central areas, they lack the dynamism of the European champions.

Spain have the platform of Pedri and Rodri to match their neighbours in midfield, and La Roja are set apart by the explosive talents of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena and Nico Williams in attack.

Luis de la Fuente’s side hit an expected goals figure of 2.80 and won the shot count 23-5 in the 3-0 last-32 victory over a strong Austria side and that indicates the level which La Roja can reach.

It has been a series of excellent performances from Spain in North America and the 0-0 draw with Cape Verde still saw the European champions hit 27 efforts on goal and produce a high level of attacking output when they were denied only by a brilliant defensive display from the minnows.

Martinez refuses to leave Ronaldo out of his starting line-up, which leaves Portugal sometimes exposed at the top of the pitch as the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star is not operating at quite the same level he used to.

The lack of mobility up front can see Spain hold a high line, win the ball back in Portugal’s half and pile the pressure on.

At 10/11, Spain are hard to resist on Monday.

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Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.

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