Spain vs Austria predictions and betting tips – Banana skin for the European champions?

Spain are one of the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy this summer, but they face a potentially tricky tie against Austria in the round of 32.

Will Luis de la Fuente’s team come through the tie unscathed, or could Austria spring a major surprise at SoFi Stadium? Here is what to expect from Thursday’s clash.

• Spain to win to nil – 37/40 with Spreadex
• Second half highest scoring – 11/10 with BetVictor
• Mikel Oyarzabal to score any time – 9/10 with 247Bet

Spain vs Austria head to head overview

• Date: Thursday 2nd July.
• Kick-off: 8pm.
• Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, USA.
• Where to watch: BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
• Referee: Glenn Nyberg.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 18th November 2009; Austria 1-5 Spain.
• Last 10 matches: Spain – 6 wins; Austria – 1 win; Draws – 3.
• Favourite to win: Spain.

Spain vs Austria predicted lineups

• Spain expected lineup: Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Merino, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.
• Austria expected lineup: A. Schlager; Posch, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Siewald, X. Schlager; Laimer, Schmid, Sabitzer; Arnautovic.

Spain vs Austria predictions

Spain got their World Cup campaign off to a sticky start, but the group stage went reasonably well overall.

In one of the most surprising results of the tournament to date, Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw on matchday one.

La Roja were not at their best in their first outing of the summer. Lamine Yamal was only fit enough to appear as a second-half substitute, but Spain still should have had enough to beat the debutants.

Their failure to do so put pressure on the team ahead of their second game against Saudi Arabia, but Spain responded with a dominant display in a 4-0 triumph.

A 1-0 victory over an underwhelming Uruguay team last time out was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Spain were not at their absolute best, but they did not have to be given Uruguay’s shortcomings.

The reigning European champions did not dazzle in the group stage, with the likes of Argentina and France producing more eye-catching performances. But Spain will not mind it one bit if they go under the radar at the start of the knockout phase.

Next up for Luis de la Fuente’s men is this clash with Austria in the round of 32. Ralf Rangnick’s team finished second in Group J, but there were moments away from going out on matchday three.

After both teams seemed to have settled for a mutually beneficial draw, Algeria suddenly scored in second-half stoppage time to put Austria on the brink of an elimination.

Thankfully for Rangnick and co., there was just enough time for Austria to scramble an equaliser and secure a place in the knockout phase of a World Cup for the first time since 1954.

Spain vs Austria betting tips

Spain take on Austria in an all-European clash in the round of 32 at World Cup 2026.

Spain to march on

Spain will dominate possession in this last-32 clash, but Austria will not simply sit back and hope for the best.

Although they will have to pick their moments to press, Austria will aim to seize on any opportunities to pinch the ball high up the pitch.

There is not a great deal of creativity in their ranks, though, and that will prevent them finding the back of the net, much as it did in the 2-0 loss to Argentina.

Spain are yet to concede at this tournament and a fourth consecutive clean sheet awaits them at SoFi Stadium.

Tip Spain to win to nil at 37/40 with Spreadex

Expect tight first half

Luis de la Fuente would love for his team to put this tie to bed in the first half, but Spain will not force the issue.

They will remain patient even if they do not make the breakthrough early on, rather than risk overcommitting and leaving themselves exposed.

Austria’s first priority will be to get to half-time with the score level. They do not want to be out of the game by the midway point.

With all that in mind, this game promises to feature more goals in the second half than the first.

Back second half to be higher scoring at 11/10 with BetVictor

Keep eye out for Oyarzabal

Lamine Yamal is Spain’s best player and he will be many people’s pick to score against Austria for completely understandable reasons.

But we like the look of Mikel Oyarzabal as an alternative. He might not be as big a star as Yamal, but Oyarzabal has a fine track record for his country.

The Real Sociedad frontman has scored 27 times in 56 appearances for Spain, despite not always being a first-choice pick up front.

Since the start of 2025, Oyarzabal has struck 14 times in 15 international games. Austria’s defenders will have to keep a close eye on him on Thursday.

Go for Mikel Oyarzabal to score any time with 9/10 with 247Bet

Spain vs Austria latest odds

Find the latest Spain vs Austria betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More World Cup 2026 predictions

We have plenty more World Cup 2026 predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Spain and Austria for betting

Spain have not won a World Cup knockout match since the 2010 final. Austria have lost only one of their last eight games. Spain became the first team in World Cup history (since records began in 1966) to face zero first-half shots on target across all three group games.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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