Spain vs Chile Prediction – June 17
After being routed by the Netherlands in its opening match, Spain is aiming to avoid an embarrassing group-stage elimination against Chile on Wednesday. [ad-1519080]
Group B Gambling Predictions
Spain v Chile
Wednesday, June 18, 2010
12 PM EST
Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
ESPN
Odds: Chile +475 / Spain -185 / Draw +310
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Another loss against Chile on Wednesday would almost certainly end Spain’s title defense, making them the third straight European winners of the World Cup to fall out of competition in the group stage the subsequent year.
Boss Vicente del Bosque’s squad arrived in Brazil as one of the favorites to walk away with it all after doing so in South Africa in 2010. To top that, Spain also retained its UEFA European Championship title in 2012 as well.
Nevertheless, all of that could not overcome a disastrous defense that allowed Louis van Gaal’s side a shocking 5-1 Group B victory in Salvador on Friday.
[ad-3678122]
Spain kept things close however, until the Dutch embarked on a second-half demolition to humiliate them in front of the world.
Now Chile will feel the backlash from that loss, as the reigning champions are sure to look to get off to a strong offensive start in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
After heavy criticism, several of Spain’s stars blamed the loss to the Dutch on goaltender Iker Casillas, calling for the Real Madrid goalkeeper to be dropped from the starting XI.
Nonetheless, Del Bosque has not lost faith in his captain, and appears poised to stick with his No. 1 net minder come Wednesday, although he may want to consider mixing up his defensive pairings.
Meanwhile, Chile began its 2014 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 triumph over Australia.
However, the scoreline is more impressive than the match, as Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was the real story, making a series of saves to deny the Aussies at least a draw.
Chile have failed to beat Spain in 10 meetings between the teams and a draw could prove decisive in their quest to qualify for the knockout stages. They will however, require the service of midfielder Arturo Vidal, who managed 60 minutes against Australia.
He is holding up as he continues to recover from knee surgery and has been deemed fit to play Spain on Wednesday.
Prediction – Spain
I look for Spain to rebound here against a Chile side that did not look all that good against the Australians.
Go with Spain, who I believe can still mount a challenge to return to the final on July 13.
Capperspicks.com Soccer picks channel is your best bet online for all the free Knockout round World Cup Betting Predictions you can handle. Check back with us for EVERY single tournament game. We’re not the best soccer betting experts on the planet, but we work our ASSES off to make you some MONEY!
