Chile aiming to stay hot against Spain

Group H is still up for grabs and Chile hopes to secure it when they play Spain at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on June 25. They can clinch it with a draw or a win, while Spain may need a win to come in second place. Chile leads the group with six points while Spain and Switzerland are tied for second with three each, followed by Honduras with none. Chile has beaten both Honduras and Switzerland 1-0. Spain lost their first match 1-0 to Switzerland and beat Honduras 2-0 in their second.

Spain, who is ranked as the second-best team in the world by FIFA would take first place with a win, but they could be knocked out of the World Cup with a draw or a loss if Switzerland wins. Honduras could also knock the Spanish out of the tournament if they beat Switzerland by enough goals to swing the goal differential their way and Spain loses to Chile. However, that’s a tough scenario as Spain has a plus 1 goal difference with Honduras at minus 3. But it’s still a possibility. If both games end in draws, Spain will go through in second place as Switzerland’s goal difference is even. Chile could possibly go out with a loss if Switzerland wins and ends up with a better goal difference.

Spain has all the talent in the world, but hasn’t really been able to put it together in this World Cup, and previous ones for that matter. They may regret missing a boatload of chances against Honduras, especially David Villa missing out on a hat trick when he shot wide on a penalty kick. Their defence has being doing well enough, even though goalie Iker Casillas has looked a little bit shaky. Fernando Torres hasn’t been much of a factor up front and manager Vicente Del Bosque has been criticized by some for not playing midfielder Cesc Fabregas enough.

Chile has played well enough to win so far, but will need to step their game up against Spain as one goal may not be enough here, not for a win anyway. They also need to clean up their act a bit as they have received eight yellow cards so far. Chile will be relying on the forward duo of Mark Gonzalez and Alexis Sanchez to keep playing well and find the net. Their defence has been exceptional without letting in a goal as of yet in the tournament.

Chile v Spain Odds and Predictions

This is a tough and close game with Chile on a bit of a roll and Spain having a reputation of choking in the big games. The Chilean goaltender, which is likely to be Claudio Bravo, may have to stand on his head here to come out with a 1-1 draw. A bet on a draw in this game gives you 4.10 (+310, 31/10) at Sportsbook

Chile hasn’t beaten Spain in seven previous matches, with Spain winning six and drawing one, while outscoring them 18 to 3.

Ladbrokes has Spain listed as favourites to win the game with odds of 1/2. A Chilean win is posted at 23/4 and the odds of a draw are 13/4.

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