Georgia vs Spain
Georgia have never qualified for a World Cup Finals.
That is not as dramatic as it sounds.
After all, the nation only joined UEFA and FIFA in 1992, shortly after becoming the first Soviet republic to part from the Football Federation of the Soviet Union.
Paired in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers with the likes of Spain and Sweden, they probably won’t reach next year’s summer showpiece either.
In fact, they have no right to.
However, that will not stop them from giving their all as they welcome 2010 World Champions Spain to Tbilisi on Sunday teatime.
Talking Points
Even accounting from the very different football backgrounds, Georgia will be determined to enjoy the occasion.
For a start, home football fans will be able to return to the stands for this encounter with regulations in place for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.
The Georgian Football Federation has confirmed the reopening of the Boris Paichadze Dinamo arena, with the government announcing organisers will admit fans to fill 30-per cent capacity of the stadium to ensure physical distancing.
Secondly, they have at the helm a new man and are intrigued to see what he can bring to the table.
Manager Willy Sagnol, who was a mainstay of the French national team and Bayern Munich for a time, was named as Georgia’s new manager last month and is set for a warm welcome in the Georgian capital.
That this match comes three days after their opening match of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Sweden means they will have had a tough start.
Perhaps the other two sides in Group B in Kosovo and Greece offer more realistic chances of successful World Cup 2022 results.
Nevertheless, this should be a great barometer of the challenge which lies ahead for Sagnol and he will take heart from their showing in his first match in Sweden on Thursday night in which they competed admirably and ensured the outcome — a 1-0 defeat — was in the balance until the closing stages.
In theory, of course, this is another level again.
Remember, Spain put six past Germany without reply as recently as November and have the likes of Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Koke, and Alvaro Morata in their ranks.
The latter netted against Greece in midweek. And since 2004, only David Silva, David Villa, and Fernando Torres have scored more goals in World Cup qualifiers for Spain than Morata, which is good company indeed!
In truth, they dominated that game only to be held by opponents who produced just one effort on target and a mere 20-per cent of possession.
That frustration will only serve to spur them on even more on Sunday.
Georgia, while they can compete especially at home, will realistically need to pull off what would be one of the biggest qualifying shocks for many a decade.
Mission improbable.
History
Georgia and Spain locked horns for the first ever time eight and a half years ago.
The Spanish, then reigning World and European champions, were pushed all the way in two qualifying matches.
A Roberto Soldado goal earned them victory in Tbilisi and then they won the return match in Albacete when Alvaro Negredo and Juan Mata were on target.
A friendly encounter in Madrid in 2016 saw Georgia triumph when Tornike Okriashvili netted the only goal six minutes before halftime.
Those three matches are the only times they have met.
Betting Tip
 |
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Georgia vs Spain | Total Goal 4-6 @ 2.60 |
| March 29, 12:00(GMT+8) |
The SBOTOP World Cup 2022 betting odds are as one-sided as you would expect between teams ranked 89th and sixth in the world.
Georgia are rank outsiders priced 1X2 @ 16.50 or Asian Handicap +2.00 @ 1.85.
Spain are such overwhelming favourites that 1X2 odds will only pay out @ 1.18 and the best you can hope for with Asian Handicap is -2.00 @ 1.99.
A tight game is not expected, judging by the fact total goal 0-1 is on offer @ 4.00 with total goal 2-3 @ 1.90 and 4-6 @ 2.60.
Likewise, over 3.00 goals is available @ 2.00.
If Georgia could really repeat their friendly 1-0 victory of five years ago in a competitive encounter, you stand to earn @ 40.00 with correct score odds.
Not for me, not a chance.
While I am sure the home team will be spirited and boosted by playing in front of some of their own fans, I cannot see past a dominant Spanish success from start to finish.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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