WORLD CUP BETTING PREVIEW - SPAIN VS AUSTRIA

World Cup

2026-07-02 - Spain vs Austria

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Spain v Austria
Football: World Cup Last 32
Thursday 2nd July 2026 - Kick Off 12pm (EST)
British Time 8pm

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Spain

They are the defending European Champions and Spain's quality performances in continental action over the last couple of years means they were always going to be considered one of the favourites to win the World Cup. However, it cannot be argued that Spain have not really impressed to the same level as France, one of the other favourites, while they are entering what looks to be a much more awkward part of the Knock Out Bracket.

After opening the tournament with yet another poor result at a World Cup Finals, Spain have bounced back to beat Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. The positive for the team is that they have yet to concede a goal, but Spain have to find a much more ruthless touch in the final third if they are going to win the World Cup for the second time having scored just five goals against those two nations and Cape Verde.

The results do mean Spain have extended the long unbeaten run (outside of one Penalty Shoot Out defeat) that takes them back to before winning the Euro 2024 trophy in Germany. In recent matches, the lack of output in the final third has to be a concern and Spain have not scored more than a single goal in 6 of the last 8 fixtures played.

Luis de la Fuente picked a stronger team than expected in the last Group match, but it was important for Spain to top the section and avoid Argentina and they did that. There is a concern around the status of Yeremy Pino, while the big news is that Nico Williams is set to miss this game after what he described an 'unnecessary' tackle made on him towards the end of the win over Uruguay.

Predicted Line Up: Simon, Llorente, Cucurella, Cubarsi, Laporte, Rodri, Pedri, Merino, Dani Olmo, Yamal and Oyarzabel (4-3-3)

Austria

It looked like Algeria and Austria had given each other all they were going to do after the second half hydration break, but the injury time drama really did come out of left field. A draw was always going to be key in sending both teams through and there was little action in the final third before Riyad Mahrez suddenly sprung clear and gave the African nation the lead.

With less than ninety seconds left on the clock, Austria looked certain to miss out on the Knock Out Stages of the World Cup again and the bench erupted in anger as it seemed like Algeria had scored when both teams had settled for a point apiece. However, more drama was to come as Austria equalised almost straight from the kick off and that does mean Ralf Rangnick's team have moved into the Last 32, albeit having to play one of the European giants in the first Knock Out tie.

Austria's win over Jordan and then the defeat to Argentina coupled with results in the other Groups meant a draw was still needed to Qualify for the Knock Out Stage when facing Algeria. The team have been a mixed bag with some quality shown, but also real vulnerabilities at the back and Austria will need to find another gear if they are going to upset the odds. The side have lost 1 of the last 8 games in all competitions, which should inspire Austria.

Both David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic are dealing with injuries, but neither of these players are going to be make themselves unavailable for selection.

Predicted Line Up: Alexander Schlager, Posch, Laimer, Alaba, Lienhart, Seiwald, Xaver Schlager, Schmid, Sabitzer, Wanner and Arnautovic (4-2-3-1)

Head to Head

These nations last met in an international friendly in November 2009 which ended in Spain winning 5-1.

The last competitive fixture was played in the 2002 World Cup Qualifying Group and that also ended in a Spain win twenty-five years ago.

Prediction

All of the World Cup headlines are being made by the two nations that competed in the 2022 Final and many are tipping up a first repeat Final since 1990 when West Germany and Argentina met in Italy following a clash four years earlier in Mexico.

However, there are teams out there who will feel they have yet to have peaked and one of those is Spain.

Time may soon run out for the European Champions with big ties coming up immediately in the Last 32 compared with much more comfortable paths that have been set up for France and Argentina.

That should not be a concern of Spain, but this is a team that have yet to really get into full gear in North America- the injury to Nico Williams is a real blow and Spain have been reliant on the strong defensive performances to move through the Group Stage.

It is a defence that will be tested much more the longer Spain are in this tournament, but they should be pretty comfortable in this match up against a Ralf Rangnick Austria team that will press from the front. Avoiding having to play a team with a low block should work well for Spain who have shown they can create chances throughout this tournament, but who have been lacking a clinical touch in the final third.

Encouragement will come from the chances that Austria have given up, while this is also a team that have not always convinced going forward. Losing Christoph Baumgartner on the eve of the tournament was always going to be a big blow and Austria struggled for clear chances against Jordan and Argentina.

In the last two Group fixtures against Argentina and Algeria, Austria gave up 6 Big Chances (3 in each), while also allowing 10 shots on target (5 in each). Allowing that kind of space to the attackers that will be on the pitch for Spain would be a mistake and this may be a rare recent event on the European Champions scoring at least twice.

Counter attacking opportunities should come up in the 'fourth quarter' of the game and Spain's defence has shown it can do enough to keep this Austria team at arm's length on the way through to the Last 16.

The Pick :

Spain 2-0 Austria

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Spain - 1.5 Asian Handicap at 2.01 with Cloudbet