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Norway need win to boost top-two hopes
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Spain secured vital win over Scotland
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BTTS an attractive option
Norway v Spain
Sunday 15 October, 19:45
Live on ViaPlay Sports
All good things must come to an end, and our winning sequence was halted last night. USA v Germany delivered the goals and corners we needed, but even though Leroy Sané had a lively game and set up a goal for Ilkay Gundogan in a 3-1 win, it appears he wasn't credited with a shot on target.
We'll look to wrap up a positive week with the Euro 2024 qualifier between Norway and Spain. Norway could still force their way into the top two, but they must win this evening's clash in Oslo, while Spain took a big step forward by beating group leaders Scotland in Seville.
Norway have undoubted star power in Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, but that clumsy home defeat to Scotland (a game that saw them concede twice late on to lose 2-1) looks set to cost them dearly. Haaland maintained his incredible international goalscoring record by netting twice in a 4-0 win in Cyprus last time out - the Manchester City machine has a staggering 27 goals in 27 caps, and looks likely to become his country's record international goalscorer in the next couple of years.
Spain made a slow start under Luis de la Fuente, and were well beaten by Scotland at Hampden Park early in the campaign, but they have built momentum since then, and won the Nations League in June. That penalty shoot-out victory over Croatia has given former Under-21 boss de la Fuente some more legitimacy, and as someone who knows how to work with talented young players, it seems he has the potential to develop an exciting group.
16-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has already become his country's youngest ever senior goalscorer, Gavi and Pedri could be pillars of the team for years to come, and there's every chance that Ansu Fati will have his career revived by a spell at Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi. At the more senior end of the spectrum, Alvaro Morata is having a super season, having smashed in eight goals for club and country, including the opener against Scotland. It also does no harm to have Manchester City's Rodri patrolling the middle of the park, seeing as he's arguably the most effective defensive midfielder in the world.
I'll back Both Teams To Score here at 1.910/11. Norway have plenty of firepower, and even though they lost the reverse fixture 3-0 in Spain, they actually made some decent chances despite the absence of Haaland. Norway have scored in 12 of their last 15 internationals, while Spain have scored 20 goals in seven games under de la Fuente.