Iran VS Spain Match Prediction

  • Logo2018-06-20
  • Logo18:00:00
Iran
VS
Spain

Our Prediction Tip

Spain will win this match.

This will be the first time Spain and Iran have met. The signs are ominous for Iran, however, having never beaten European opposition at the World Cup.

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Iran vs Spain Stats

Spain have not lost since Euro 2016 – a run of 21 matches unbeaten

Iran have never beaten European opposition at the World Cup

In fact, Iran's win against Morocco was only their second ever at the World Cup - their previous victory came against USA at France '98

Carlos Queiroz's side beat Morocco on the opening day despite failing to muster even a shot

Iran vs Spain Betting Tips

After the chaos of Julen Loptegui's sacking on the eve of the tournament, and the disappointment of Cristiano Ronaldo’s late equaliser in their opening match, this is Spain’s big chance to bounce back in style.

Iran might have won their opening game, but only because of an own goal - they failed to register a second-half shot before that. Even the free-kick that led to the goal was clumsily and needlessly conceded by Morocco.

Morocco’s toothless attack may have struggled to break Iran down, but Spain will have no such issues - Diego Costa's two goals were important on a personal level after a poor 2014 World Cup, while David Silva and Isco are more than capable of goals themselves.

Iran may have put themselves in a position to claim an unlikely second-round spot, but getting the one more win they need looks far too big a step up for them. They have never beaten European opposition at the World Cup and that record looks unlikely to change against Spain.

Experienced at the back, and boasting some serious quality further upfield, Spain have scored three times already this tournament and, on top form, will expect a load more against Iran.

Iran vs Spain Recommended bets with odds

Spain are huge odds-on favourites to beat Iran in their second group game, and you will struggle to find much higher odds than 2/11 with Bet365.

They do improve to 1/2 with Bet365 and Ladbrokes if you back them to win to nil against a team who failed to hit a shot in the second-half of their win against Morocco. Betting against both teams to score returns a best price of 5/12 with Betfair.

Spain, by contrast, have already scored three times and over 2.5 goals in this match will return 3/4 with Betfair. Over 3.5 goals and the odds grow to 24/13 with 888sport. Spain to win and over 2.5 goals returns 3/4 with Ladbrokes and Betway.

After his two goals against Portugal, Diego Costa is odds on to score against Iran at any time – Betway and Ladbrokes are offering 4/5 on the Atletico Madrid striker netting.

David Silva (2/1 with Betfair and Paddy Power) also scored five goals in qualification, however, and could be a good alternative bet.

Iran vs Spain Top three bets

1) Spain to win to nil at 1/2 with Bet365
2) Spain to win and over 2.5 goals at 3/4 with Ladbrokes
3) David Silva to score at any time at 2/1 with Betfair

Iran vs Spain Prediction

Spain will expect to beat Iran, and they will expect to beat them well. Even with the chaotic opening week in the Spanish camp, it is hard to see Iran finding a way past the Spanish defence - or keeping the out at the other end either.

Correct score prediction: Iran 0-4 Spain

Correct score best odds: 9/1 (Paddy Power)

 

Iran Team News

Star man Alireza Jahanbakhsh was off the pitch when Iran team scored their winning goal, having been stretchered off late in the game, but he was only suffering cramp and is likely to start against Spain with no issues. Saman Ghoddos, his replacement against Morocco, could still play a part against Spain if Carlos Queiroz opts for more creativity, but the Ostersunds man will probably have to feature from the bench again.

Iran Key Players

Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh made history in the Eredivisie last season, with two hat-tricks in the final two months earning him the Golden Boot – the first Asian player ever to finish as top goalscorer in a major European league. Striker Sardar Azmoun has scored 23 international goals in 34 appearances, meanwhile.

Iran Previous result

Morocco 0-1 Iran (Bouhaddouz (OG))

Iran failed to register a single shot in the second-half of their opening group game against Morocco and yet still found themselves snatching a late win when Aziz Bouhaddouz inexplicably headed a 95th-minute free-kick into his own net. It was only Iran’s second ever World Cup victory.

Iran Team Form

Iran’s win against Morocco was their fourth in five matches, with their last two featuring late 1-0 victories. Aziz Bouhaddouz’s late own goal won it for Iran against Morocco, while it was Sardar Azmoun’s late strike that made the difference when Lithuania were defeated in Moscow in Iran’s final warm-up match. Prior to that, Iran lost 2-1 to Turkey, having beaten Algeria by the same scoreline and won 1-0 against Uzbekistan in Tehran.

Iran Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-5-1

Spain Team News

After Spain sacked Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament, new manager Fernando Hierro’s first act was to select Nacho at right-back ahead of Alvaro Odriozola at right-back. Nacho will likely retain his place too as, despite conceding the early penalty which resulted in Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal, he scored a brilliant goal to put Spain 3-2 in front. Hierro also switched to a 4-3-3 formation, which meant Koke started in midfield ahead of Thiago and David Silva and Isco were pushed further forward.

Spain Key Players

Diego Costa scored twice in the draw with Portugal to prove himself on the World Cup stage for the first time, after a below-par tournament four years ago. He was one of four players to score five times in qualifying for Spain too – Isco and David Silva are also in the squad of the other three. Silva was involved in both Spain’s second and third goals, while Isco will hope to recapture the form he showed in banging in a hat-trick against Argentina in March.

Spain Previous result

Portugal 3-3 Spain (Costa (2), Nacho)

Spain’s 2018 World Cup campaign could not have got off to a worse start, as Cristiano Ronaldo won and converted an early penalty in their tie with Portugal. Diego Costa levelled, but David de Geas howler allowed Ronaldo to restore Portugal’s lead before half-time. Spain Football team hit back, scoring twice in four second-half minutes through Costa and Nacho, but Ronaldo’s late free-kick levelled the match at 3-3.

Spain Team Form

Spain remain unbeaten since Euro 2016 – the draw with Portugal stretching their record to 21 matches without defeat. Cristiano Ronaldo’s late equaliser means they have drawn four of their last six matches, however – Switzerland, Germany, Russia and Portugal have all now held Spain, with the latter two earning 3-3 draws on Russian soil. Spain’s two wins in that time were pre-tournament success against Tunisia and the 6-1 against Argentina in March.

Spain Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Spain may have conceded a late equaliser against Portugal in their opening game - their first since the shock sacking of Julen Lopetegui - but they are still unbeaten in 21 matches. Iran, meanwhile, left it late to beat Morocco thanks to an own goal. They may top the group, and Iran will not be pushovers under Carlos Queiroz, but this is a match Spain simply have to win - and win well.
Spain last lost at Euro 2016, with the draw with Portugal in the opening fixture extending their unbeaten record to 21 matches.

About Iran vs Spain Match

Group B leaders Iran need to win against Spain in their second fixture of the 2018 World Cup to book their place in the last-16 stage with a game to spare. Iran top the group after winning their opening game against Morocco, while Spain drew with Portugal. Iran and Spain have never previously met, with the Kazan Arena set to stage their first ever clash on Wednesday June 20; kick-off is 9pm local time.