Uruguay vs Spain Betting Tips and Stats

Spain were sensational in the first half against Saudi Arabia, and Mikel Oyarzabal looked back to his brilliant best. The Sociedad forward bagged two goals and an assist inside 24 minutes, and with Spain now finding their groove and looking to top the group, he’ll be at the forefront of their success once again.

You could easily take Oyzarabal to score or assist here, but I think shots on target offer slightly better value. Oyarzabal had five shots against Saudi Arabia, with three of those efforts hitting the target and a further one hitting the crossbar. Even in a poor performance against Cape Verde, he still had five shots, with one of those troubling the keeper. It’s the sheer volume that stands out here; Spain are relentless in attack, and with the likes of Yamal, Williams, Olmo, and Pedri supplying chances, Oyarzabal can feast.

Over his last six competitive outings for Spain, Oyarzabal has averaged 5.57 shots P/90, and 3.00 shots on target P/90. Those numbers are obscene, and against a Uruguay side in a bit of a predicament, he should find chances easy enough to come by. Spain’s opponents need a result here; they either come out and expose themselves to one of the best teams in the world, or they sit off and invite pressure. Both will lead to Oyarzabal shots on target.

I find the mentality of even the best nations in the world fascinating when it comes to facing Spain. It’s understandable for the smaller nations to sit off and try to frustrate, but the way in which Spain play forces even those with quality in abundance to change their gameplan. Uruguay will sit off in large parts here, and that will bring some unusual names into play in an attacking sense.

Marc Cucurella is one such player that I think can have some joy here. He’s incredibly adventurous in this Spain setup, and with the way in which Nico Williams is likely to operate in front of him, there will be space for him to get into the box. Cucurella has had a shot in both of Spain’s World Cup outings thus far, with an effort leading to their fourth goal against Saudi Arabia, and two shots against Cape Verde.

If Uruguay sit off, then expect the sort of efforts from range that he exhibited in Spain’s opener. If they push forward, then he will find gaps in and around the 18 yard box. Uruguay conceded 12 shots against Cape Verde last week, and left back Sidny Lopes Cabral actually had two shots from distance. We only need one from Cucurella here.

Maxi Araujo has perhaps been Uruguay’s standout performer so far this summer despite their struggles. A goal against Saudi Arabia, a goal and an assist against Cape Verde, he’s clearly in form. It’s less the goals that interest me here however, and more the creative side of his game.

Most of Uruguay’s attacks have come down the left at the World Cup so far, and Maxi Araujo has generated more chances than anyone else in this squad. He created five shots against Saudi Arabia, and three against Cape Verde, one of those being that aforementioned assist. He’s afforded more freedom, and plays higher up the pitch, for his nation than he does for sporting, and he’s benefitted immensely from that minor change.

Make no mistake, Uruguay can’t really afford to sit off here for 90 minutes or Spain will punish them at some point. Araujo will have his moments on the break, and any chances he does set up can be wildly off target for all we care. Spain’s right side is comparatively weak defensively as well; Porro will go wandering, whilst Yamal is liable to switch off in transitions. In what is a hugely important game for Uruguay, Araujo is the man to make the impact.