2010 winners Spain get their World Cup campaign underway on Thursday afternoon as they take on Costa Rica at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.
Luis Enrique’s side reached the semi-finals of the Euros last year and his young squad will be hoping to make the jump up to the next stage.
They have been drawn in Group E with 2014 winners Germany so it is imperative they get off to a winning start.
Costa Rica are playing in their third-straight World Cup and they will be hoping to draw on inspiration from their run to the last eight in 2014.
They have an excellent defensive record and will be looking to frustrate Spain.
Spain vs Costa Rica Betting Tips
Spain to win and under 1.5 goals @ 5/1
Alvaro Morata to score first @ 3/1
Team news
Enrique has no new injury issues ahead of the World Cup and will have decisions to make on his starting XI.
Alvaro Morata is likely to get the nod to play up front, while Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres could be the chosen two to flank the forward with the boss opting for youthful energy.
Midfield is likely to be comprised of all Barcelona players, with the vastly experienced Sergio Busquets anchoring while Gavi and Pedri will be allowed to create.
Costa Rica also have a fully fit squad and boss Luis Fernando Suarez will have former Arsenal man Joel Campbell in an attacking role.
Midfielder Celso Borges is set to win his 156th cap in midfield.
Spain to win and under 1.5 goals @ 11/2
This could be a tricky match for Spain on paper with Costa Rica possessing an excellent defensive record.
Suarez’s team have kept six clean sheets in their last seven games and qualified for the World Cup by virtue of their ability to repel opposition attacks.
However, Spain should be a different proposition to what Costa Rica are used to, with Enrique’s young and vibrant side coming into the competition on the back of a run to the European Championship semi-finals last summer where winners Italy were their conquerors on penalties.
Spain took a few games to get settled into the Euros last summer and scored only once in their first two matches.
They also managed to net only 15 goals in eight qualification games despite facing smaller teams such as Kosovo and Georgia.
This one might be a close-fought game and Spain are going to have to be patient against a side that will probably play five at the back.
Alvaro Morata to score first @ 3/1
Morata has become Spain’s leading focal point by default with La Roja lacking big options to rival him.
The Atletico Madrid man has scored five goals in 19 games this season, which by any measurement is a fairly ordinary total.
However, he has looked better on the international stage with four goals in Spain’s nine games this year, including two against Portugal.
He has the physicality to go up against a tough defence in Costa Rica and with so much creativity behind him, it seems inevitable that he will get a few good chances.
