Spain is a heavy favorite (-500) to beat Georgia when the teams meet in Cologne for a Round of 16 showdown on Sunday. La Roja finished first in their Euro 2024 group after sweeping aside Croatia, Italy, and Albania. They are the only team with a 100% record at this tournament, and they will aim to extend that winning streak when they face Georgia.
The Georgians (+1600) are playing at their first international tournament, and the players appear to be enjoying themselves. Most pundits expected them to finish last in their group, but a shocking 2-0 victory over Portugal on Matchday 3 earned them a place in the knockout stage. That sparked wild celebrations among the Georgian fans, and the players will now be keen to claim another famous scalp this weekend. See below for Euro 2024 betting info and odds.
Spain vs. Georgia live odds
Spain vs. Georgia player props
Spain might have to avoid complacency to win
Spain landed in the so-called “group of death” alongside Italy, Croatia, and Albania, but La Roja outclassed all three teams. They beat Croatia 3-0 on Matchday 1 before securing a deserved 1-0 victory over Italy. Manager Luis de la Fuente was then able to rest all 11 of his regular starters for the team’s final group stage match, but Spain still beat Albania 1-0.
La Roja’s key players will now be fresh for this Round of 16 clash. They have not conceded a single goal at this tournament, and they have also looked very dangerous in attack, so Spain is a -450 favorite to win this game. However, the players must avoid complacency. Their fans expect a comfortable win, but Georgia can cause problems for any team on the counterattack, so Spain cannot afford to take this game lightly.
Georgia’s path to victory likely includes Kvaratskhelia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia lived up to his billing as one of the world’s best players when he faced Portugal on Wednesday. The Napoli winger scored the opening goal of the game, and he wowed the fans with his deft footwork, close control, and creativity. His teammates try to get the ball to him as often as possible, and he will be Georgia’s main attacking threat in this game.
The Napoli fans have nicknamed him “Kvaradona,” as he reminds them of their former striker Diego Maradona, arguably the best player of all time. Kvaratskhelia has been consistently brilliant for his club over the past two years, and he is heavily linked with a move to PSG this summer. However, he will need to put those transfer talks to one side and focus his efforts on guiding Georgia to victory over Spain on Sunday.
Spain expected starting 11
Manager Luis de la Fuente is expected to revert to his usual starting XI. That means Unai Simón will start in goal, with Marc Cucurella at left-back, Dani Carvajal at right-back, and Aymeric Laporte alongside Robin Le Normand in the center. Rodri has served a one-game suspension after picking up two yellow cards in the group stage, so he is now free to slot into the midfield, supported by Pedri and Fabián Ruiz.
Captain Álvaro Morata will start up front, with Nico Williams on the left of the attack and young playmaker Lamine Yamal on the right flank. Spain has a great deal of quality on the bench, so the manager can turn to Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Joselu, and Ayoze Pérez if he needs to overhaul the attack in the second half.
Georgia expected starting 11
Giorgi Mamardashvili has looked composed in goal for Georgia at the Euros. Manager Willy Sagnol opted for a back five against Portugal, and his team looked solid, so he could stick with that approach this weekend. If so, we could see Luka Lochoshvili, Lasha Dvali, captain Guram Kashia, Giorgi Gvelesiani, and Otar Kakabadze line up in defense.
Otar Kiteishvili, Giorgi Kochorashvili, and Giorgi Chakvetadze started in midfield against Portugal, and they acquitted themselves well, so they should also keep their places. Kvicha Kvaratskhelia will start up front alongside Georges Mikautadze, who is currently the top scorer at Euro 2024 after scoring three goals in the group stage. The Metz striker now has 13 goals in 28 games for his country, and he has linked up well with Kvaratskhelia at this tournament.
