Norway vs Spain prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-10-14 18:45.
Itâs crunch time for third-placed Norway in their seventh game of this UEFA European Championship Qualifying (ECQ) cycle, as anything short of a win will see them fail to make the cut for Euro 2024. That said, even a first victory over Spain since 2000 (D1, L4 since) may not be enough for Norway, who do at least enter this clash on the back of a fine four-game winning run.
Not since 2018 have Norway put together a longer sequence of victories, and the wait for a repeat may go on even longer as their back-to-back ECQ home wins within that sequence is their best run in this sphere in this century. Ominously, the Norwegians have lost âto nilâ in their last two ECQ home games following back-to-back victories in their own backyard, last putting together a sequence of three in 1999.
Spain ensured that they remain the masters of their own destiny as they denied Scotland the chance to qualify early with a 2-0 win in midweek, meaning they can afford to lose here if only they can defeat the lowly Cyprus and Georgia. Even if catastrophe strikes for Luis De La Fuenteâs men, they have a play-off spot to fall back on due to their impressive exploits in the UEFA Nations League.
That really shouldnât be needed given that La Roja have won all but one of their games under De La Fuenteâs current reign (W5, L1). The only blotch on Spainâs ECQ record in this cycle did come away from home, yet they shouldnât be too worried as theyâve lost just four times on their ECQ travels this century (W18, D5), with an impressive 12 of those victories coming without reply.
Players to watch: Who else but Erling Haaland? The Norwegian hitman has now scored six goals across his last four international appearances, including two match openers. Trying to shackle him will be his Manchester City teammate Rodri, who scored the sole goal in last seasonâs UEFA Champions League final as he and Haaland secured a historic treble.
Hot streak: Spain are enduring their longest wait for an away ECQ clean sheet (six games, W3, D2, L1) in this century.