A World Cup without Spain is basically unthinkable – or is it? Great football nations like the Dutch or the Italians have shown that it is possible to fail in the qualifiers. Maybe it will be the Spaniards this time, because Luis Enrique’s team is clearly falling short of its best form in recent international matches.
Nevertheless, the Iberians are more than clear favourites in the duel against Kosovo in the odds comparison of our site In the Group B table, however, the Spaniards are in second place after two matches, four points behind the Swedes, who are without a loss. Greece, Georgia and Kosovo complete the field of participants in this pool.
Despite the problems the 2010 world champions have had recently, the forecast for the clash between Spain and Kosovo is clearly in the direction of a home win, because one thing has to be said for Luis Enrique’s team: Even if the performance is not always top, at least the results are still good, so that Madrid and Barcelona are not panicking because of the current league situation.
The Kosovars will certainly not be taking part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But that is not yet the aspiration of the young country. The team as a whole is very talented, which is why the focus is more on the European Championships in the next few years, where the qualifiers should also be much easier to master. This is another reason why we would hardly be tempted to bet on the visitors between Spain and Kosovo.
Prediction & Live Odds for Spain vs. Kosovo 31/03/2021
The Spaniards have made a slow start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. Nevertheless, the odds on a home win are very low at the betting sites. After all, they have won nine of their last ten home games and only drawn once.
The Dardanians have their problems especially away from home and have been waiting for a win in eight games away from home. It is unlikely that the knot will break in Sevilla of all places. We expect the Iberians to extend their home streak and try to find the right tip for a handicap win for La Roja between Spain and Kosovo.
Previously, Luis Enrique’s team did not perform well against Greece and in Georgia. But we now expect a reaction from the 2010 world champions, so we think it should be a clear affair. After the Dardanians lost 0:3 in Sweden, we bet on a handicap win (-2.5) for Spain.
Spain – Statistics & Current Form
The Spaniards once claimed to play their opponents into the ground. Under Luis Enrique, things have changed completely. The coach of the Iberians does not attach great importance to an outstanding performance of his team, but instead focuses on the results. Whether you win 1:0 or 8:0 is not important to him – the main thing is to get the points.
Spain with strong home record
At least in the last few months, they have generally managed to do so. In the last 21 international matches, La Roja have conceded only one defeat. At home, there have been nine wins and one draw in the last ten games, with a goal difference of 34:2. Therefore, almost everything speaks in favour of playing the odds at the best betting providers between Spain and Kosovo, which have something to do with a victory for the Iberians.
However, the start to the 2022 World Cup qualifiers has been agonising. The opening match was a very unexpected 1-1 draw at home against the team from Greece. In Georgia, they only managed a 2-1 win by the skin of their teeth after the home side had taken the lead. Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo turned the game around in injury time.
This should secure Dani Olmo a place in the starting eleven, which will also see captain Sergio Ramos return to play his 180th international match. There will probably be other changes compared to the Georgia game. Coach Luis Enrique will definitely have to do without the injured Jesus Navas, Dani Carvajal and Ansu Fati.
Spain’s likely line-up:
Simon – Porro, Ramos, Martinez, Alba – Rodri – Torres, Koke, Pedri, Olmo – Moreno – Coach: Luis Enrique
Kosovo – Statistics & current form
Bernard Challandes sees his involvement in Kosovo as a major project to develop a team. That’s why the World Cup qualifiers against Spain, Greece and Sweden are extremely important. Everyone involved in Kosovo is well aware that it won’t be enough for the ticket to Qatar in the end.
Kosovo with problems away from home
There is still a lot to do. Especially away from home, the Kosovars have their problems. They have not won on their opponents’ pitch for eight games, but their opponents have included England, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Nevertheless, it remains clear that between Spain and Kosovo, the forecast is for the Dardanians to go down to defeat.
Bernard Challandes’ team started their qualifying campaign in Sweden on Sunday, which we covered as part of our Betting Base World Cup tips. Kosovo were largely without a chance in their 3-0 defeat. However, Sweden or Spain are not the teams the Kosovars can currently compete with.
Bernard Berisha will not be able to play on Wednesday after the winger was sent off in injury time against the Swedes. There are also other missing players. Valon Berisha and Herolind Shala are in isolation. Amir Rrahmani and Arbenit Xhemajili will miss out due to injury.
Kosovo’s likely line-up:
Ujkani – Hadergjonaj, Vojvoda, Aliti, Kololli – Voca, Kryeziu, Rashica, Halimi, Zeneli – Muriqi – Coach: Challandes