Greece to hold Spain to a draw in vital clash
Greece and Spain do battle in Group B of the UEFA section for the road to Qatar 2022, and realistically speaking, only a win for the hosts in Athens' Olympic Stadium will continue to see their bid to reach next year's World Cup remain alive. The visitors are second in the group, and they too need the three points to keep up the pressure on leaders Sweden ahead of their showdown next week. Read our preview here:
We live in a Tsim-ulation
Head coach John van 't Schip will need to find precisely the right formula to keep Spain's more individually talented players at bay whilst also increasing his own side's prospects in the final third. The task isn't an enviable one, and much will depend on keeping the ball high and out wide, especially without the in-form Trabzonspor winger Anastasios Bakasetas to call upon. Liverpool's Konstantinos Tsimikas has been largely reduced to being a bit-part member of his club's squad since the return to fitness of Andrew Robertson, but will be thrust into the hosts' starting XI from the outset. Combining excellent tackling with the ability to rove forwards on the dribble, he'll be one of the few outballs in blue and white. Elsewhere, the aerial prowess of AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis could be crucial from both crosses and set pieces.
Gavi sits in judgment
Though shorn of one Barcelona wonderkid, Gavi will be seeking to ensure Ansu Fati's absence for the crucial two remaining group games doesn't prove to be a hammer blow to the fortunes of La Furia Roja. Luis Enrique has no other selection headaches, so most of their approach play will be focused on isolating the hosts' pivots, playing around them into space and retaining possession in between the lines. The 17 year old won't be alone in threading through balls through tight areas - the likes of Dani Olmo and Pablo Sarabia are likely to peel off the opposition's back three to make them come out of their low block. Even so, the rejuvenated Álvaro Morata is certain to be leading the line, and much of the responsibility to finish off the chances will fall on him. Carlos Soler will back him up with late runs into the penalty area.
No Greek tragedy
It's always tempting in these sorts of encounters to favour the 'bigger' nation with the more recognisable names. However, Greece, with far more potentially than just pride on the line, are the kind of opponents who can prove to be the most dangerous. Casumo have long odds of 4.20 for a draw that would neither side any favours, almost certainly handing automatic qualification to Sweden.
