One of the encounters of the upcoming Friday within the ninth round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification will be a match between Spain and Albania. Bookmakers are on the Iberians’ side, which are walking tall towards the first place in group G and a direct ticket to WC final part, which will be held in Russia in a year.
The Spain national team have managed to gain 22 points after eight played rounds in the 2018 WC qualification, the Iberians are on the first position in the peloton, three points ahead of the Italian team. If the Spaniards will gain four points in the last two matches, the team will definitely go to Russia. Even three points would probably suffice for Lopetegui’s men, as it is impossible for the Italians to recoup the difference of 17 goals in two matches.
The Albania national team was very unlucky to end up in the same group with the teams of Italy and Spain. In this situation, the Balkans had very little chance on getting into top-two of the qualification group from the start. But they struggled, have managed to gain 13 points and are on the third position in the peloton. The Albanians defeated Liechtenstein and Israel away, had a draw with the Macedonians and lost to Italy, 0:2. In general, a very decent performance for Christian Panucci’s men.
The Spain national team will play the upcoming game offensively, as usual. The Albanians knows well, how to defend, but the Balkans will hardly be able to withstand Armada’s power. Besides, Furia’s tournament motivation is still present and nobody thinks about relaxation in the Spanish camp, therefore a bet on a negative handicap of the future hosts looks. like a decent option.
Prediction for the match: Spain to with -2.5 Asian handicap
