World Cup last 16: Spain vs. Russia team news, predictions, betting odds and TV channel

It’s ‘life or death’ for the 2010 winners
against the host nation

Preview

The 2010 World Cup winners qualified first in group B but had to
settle for draws against Portugal and Morocco. Spain beat Iran 1-0
in their other group match.

Speaking ahead of the last-16 clash in Moscow, Carvajal told
The Daily Telegraph: “On Sunday we have a very
difficult game against the host nation, who scored eight goals in
two games and who will have the whole country behind
them. 

“Russia is a strong and quick team and we have to be very
wary of giving the ball away. We have to be very focused and set
ourselves up to exploit their weaknesses and capitalise on their
errors.

“From now on the games are life or death, you can’t play
for a draw, you either win or you go home. I think these games are
going to be different and we will recover our best
form.”

Meanwhile Russia defender Sergey Ignashevich says the
host nation will look to take advantage of the space around Spain’s
high defensive line.

He said: “Their defenders try to get high up the pitch and
that leads to a lot of free space and allows you to create danger
on the counter-attack. That was one of Spain’s biggest weaknesses
in the group stage, Morocco and Iran used that strategy and we will
try to do it too.”

Team news

Russia are without suspended defender Igor Smolnikov but
Aleksandr Golovin and Yuri Zhirkov should return to the starting XI
after dropping to the bench for the 3-0 defeat against Uruguay in
group A. Koke could start for Spain in place of Thiago
Alcantara.

Spain vs. Russia predicted starting
XIs

How the teams could line up at the Luzhniki Stadium, according
to Fifa.com:

• Spain: David De Gea; Dani Carvajal, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos,
  Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Koke, Andres Iniesta, Isco; Diego
  Costa, Iago Aspas 
• Russia: Igor Akinfeev; Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov, Sergey
  Ignashevich, Yuri Zhirkov; Roman Zobnin, Daler Kuzyaev; Aleksandr
  Samedov, Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Cheryshev; Artem Dzyuba

Spain vs. Russia predictions

The Daily Telegraph: “Russia lost momentum with
their heavy [3-0] defeat to Uruguay after a fast start, while Spain
seem certain to improve as the tournament progresses. Prediction:
Spain 2 Russia 1.”

Independent: “Spain will still be feeling the
pain from their 2-2 draw against Morocco and will go into this game
with it at the forefront of their minds. Russia will need to
correct the weaknesses that were exposed by Uruguay in the final
game of the group stage. Spain are heavily favoured to win.”

SportsMole: “Neither side will be completely
satisfied with their performances at this event, but we are backing
Spain to begin to find their ‘A’ game now that the group stages
have come to a conclusion. Russia will be confident of causing an
upset but Spain’s greater quality in attack could prove to be the
difference. Spain 3-1 Russia.”

Spain vs. Russia betting odds

Best prices according to Oddschecker (as of 30 June)

• Spain to win: 4/7 
• Draw: 3/1 
• Russia to win: 5/1

First goalscorer

• Diego Costa (Spain): 16/5 
• Iago Aspas (Spain): 9/2 
• Rodrigo (Spain): 9/2 
• Isco (Spain): 13/2 
• Marco Asensio (Spain): 13/2 
• David Silva (Spain): 13/2 
• No goalscorer: 8/1 
• Fyodor Smolov (Russia): 17/2 
• Lucas Vazquez (Spain): 9/1 
• Artem Dzyuba (Russia): 10/1 
• Sergio Ramos (Spain): 12/1