Spain v Belgium
Football: FIFA World Cup 2010 European (UEFA) Qualifiers
Saturday, 5th September 2009 - Kickoff 21:00

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Spain (1st) 6-0-0 13:2

Spain are topping Group Five with 6 out of 6 matches won, and a GD of 6:0 at home. The European champs are not mathematically qualified, but there are not many doubts they will qualify.

Still, the qualfiying matches are considered important matches, as preparation on the World Cup, which is Spain's next target. All regulars are in the squad, with the lethal striking-duo Torres/Villa and many other stars.

After Confederations Cup debacle, a 2-0 loss against United States in semifinal, and a narrow win against Macedonia, they're back in the qualifying circuit. Of course, it can be questioned whether the focus will be there, but I don't doubt Spain's mentality.

Belgium (4th) 2-1-3 10:11

In Belgium there´s only one thing where the press is talking about. The horrible challenge of Standard player Axel Witsel, who won the golden boot for best player last season, on Anderlecht player Marcin Wasilewski during the match Anderlecht-Standard.

There is a huge tension between these 2 clubs for a while now, and that tension found it's climax in the match itself. Wasilewski was diagnosed with multiple fractures on the leg, and will miss out the next 10-12 months.

Honestly, the pictures of the situation are shocking and horrible, and it's the subject in Belgium. Witsel has ben suspended for the next 4 months in the league, and his club Standard has appealed to this suspension.

This challenge also has it's consequences for the national team. Even though Witsel was already suspended for the national team after a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, there's a tension in the squad between Anderlecht and Standard players, which is not good for the atmosphere.

It's said they're not on speaking terms about sunday's match, and avoid difficult situation. You can understand this is a negative situation for all players, and atmosphere is important when you play a match against a force like Spain.

Manager Vercauteren is only temporarily assigned, until Dick Advocaat takes over. Belgium looks chanceless for qualification and all these circumstances added up, I can't see any positive balance for this match.

Furthermore first goalie Stijnen is injured and won't play and second goalie Proto is doubtful. Anderlecht's van Damme is injured and unavailable.

THe Betting Verdict

All circumstances taken into consideration, it's obvious the 2 teams are headed in opposite directions. Spain will be focused after the failure at the Confederations Cup, while the Belgian situation couldn't be worse.

Furthermore, there's a huge gap in quality between the two teams, as Spain are world class, and Belgium are not more then average, with talented youngsters for the future.

For now they're just a class below Spain. This makes me take Spain, and the 2.01 on offer at Pinnacle for Spain -1.5,-2 won't last too long I think.

The Statistics :

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take SPAIN on the -1.75 handicap to win by 2 clear goals at least.