World Cup 2022: Greece Go to Granada in Hope More Than Expectation

World Cup 2022: Greece Go to Granada in Hope More Than Expectation

Spain vs Greece

As World Cup 2022 qualifying football comes to Granada, two factors strike me.

The first is that it’s been two years since Greece played a major force in football – Italy in 2019 – and they lost both games by a 5-0 aggregate score.

The second is that hosts Spain come into this game on the back of a 6-0 drubbing of Germany last November.

On that occasion, a hat-trick from young Manchester City winger Ferran Torres and goals from Juventus striker Alvaro Morata, City midfielder Rodri and Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal ensured a rout.

Greece, on the other hand, drew 0-0 against Slovenia last time out.

That may only tell part of the story, but it certainly cements the fact that this is a meeting between a giant of international football and a minnow which famously shocked the footballing world 16 years ago.

Talking Points

Spain cruised through Euro 2020 qualifying and now begin their latest campaign aiming to create World Cup qualifying highlights.

Blessed with a full squad, manager Luis Enrique has surprised people with some of his inclusions, such as Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Sporting right-back Pedro Porro, while Barcelona midfielder Pedri and Eibar winger Bryan Gil have been rewarded for their fine seasons so far.

Barca left-back Jordi Alba has also returned to the fold.

There is plenty of experience, of course, with Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos, Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, Liverpool’s Thiago, Napoli man Fabian Ruiz and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea all included.

Spanish skipper Ramos is just six games short from becoming the highest appearance maker for the country – something he could halve if he figures in all his country’s scheduled games over the next week.

It’s been a pretty steady two and a half years for Spanish national team since the embarrassment and off the field distractions which marred the build-up to their World Cup tilt in 2018.

The next 15 months will determine whether they are ready to challenge for the international game’s major honours once again.

Greece, realistically, will just be happy to be at the party and would love nothing more than to reach to Qatar next summer.

They have missed out on three consecutive major tournaments. The failure of reaching Euro 2020 was preceded by a tragic Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and a marginally better 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, where Greece missed out on the main event after falling to eventual finalists, Croatia, in a two-legged playoff.

This week they will be captained by Trabzonspor forward Anastasios Bakasetas.

Unlike Spain, the squad is not littered with household names.

Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas and Norwich City left-back Dimitris Giannoulis have all been named.

Their one to watch could be talented young forward in the form of Willem II’s Vangelis Pavlidis, who has been linked with a move to Celtic.

Clearly, they lack the experience that Spain possess, with Olympiacos forward Kostas Fortounis their most experienced player with 51 caps.

Stuttgart centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos and Volos forward Anastasios Douvikas could be handed their debuts.

They have just one player on their injury list with Pantelis Chatzidiakos (knee) missing.

It’s time to begin the road to Qatar 2022 but it would be a shock if this produces anything but a comfortable home success.

History

Greece have only won once in their 10 meetings which, perhaps, is hardly surprising.

That victory came in 2003 in qualifying for Euro 2004 when future Bolton star Stelios Giannakopoulos netted the only goal.

Both nations qualified for the tournament and met again in the group stages, on this occasion drawing 1-1 with Angelos Charisteas and Fernando Morientes trading goals.

Amazingly, Greece went on the win the tournament.

That, and a 1972 friendly draw aside, are Greece’s best results against the Spanish national team who have won all of their other seven clashes.

The most recent came at Euro 2008 when Spain won a group encounter 2-1, on their way to being crowned European Champions.

Again, Charisteas scored for Greece before Ruben de la Red and Daniel Guiza turned the match in Spain’s favour.

Betting Tip

Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.01

How can you not back Spain, certainly based on the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds.

1.15 @ 1X2 or Asian Handicap -2.00 @ 1.92 are emphatic, meaning Greece are massive underdogs with either 1X2 @ 21.00 or Asian Handicap +2.00 @ 2.00.

A 2-1 Spanish success, just like their last clash more than 12 years ago, is available with correct score odds of @ 10.50.

Spain will win this and score a fair few too.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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