On Sunday, 15th October, as part of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, the Norwegian team will face the national team of Spain. Last week, 'La Roja' prevailed over the Scots in Seville with a score of 2:0, whereas the Scandinavians easily dealt with the Cypriot team – 0:4.
Norway: Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Ostigard, Meling; Odegaard, Berge, Aursnes; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa.
Spain: Simon; Navas, Le Normand, Laporte, Garcia; Merino, Rodri, Gavi; Torres, Morata, Zaragoza.
The match will take place in Oslo at the Ullevaal Stadium.
Led by Erling Holland, Norway still hopes to reach Euro-2024 in Germany and end their 24-year drought of not participating in major tournaments (their last major competition being Euro-2000). It is clear that this new generation of Norwegians is ready to take the reins, which they demonstrated in their last two matches against Cyprus (3:1) and Georgia in September (2:1). Additionally, the red-and-blues thrashed Jordan in a friendly match (6:0) and last Thursday secured a comfortable victory over Cyprus (0:4).
Alexander Sorloth opened the score in his 50th game for the national team, while Erling Holland (2) and Fredrik Aursnes completed the rout. Consequently, the team of Stale Solbakken holds the third spot in Group A, with 10 points after six tours, trailing two points behind the Spaniards, who have a game in hand. Moreover, the 'lions' might extend their unbeaten home streak to four matches in all competitions for the first time since a run of seven consecutive home victories from September 2017 to October 2018.
After triumph in the ‘Final Four’ Nations League, where the Spaniards beat Croatia in the penalty shootout, 'La Roja' has gained momentum. Last Thursday, Spain played a crucial match against group leaders - Scotland, which they won 2:0. Alvaro Morata put the red and golds ahead at the 73rd minute mark, and four minutes later substitute Oihan Sanset scored his debut goal for the national team. The 2010 World Champions also secured two victories in September – over Georgia away (1:7), and then over Cyprus at home (6:0). Spain extended its unbeaten run in home qualifying tournaments (both for Euro and World Championships) to 49 matches, starting from June 2006: securing 44 wins and five draws, and maintaining 18 'clean' wins within the recent 23 clashes.
Indeed, the visitors have won just one of their last four away Euro qualifiers. Not available for selection are Marco Asensio, Villarreal's top scorer Gerard Moreno (5 goals in 17 matches) and RB Leipzig's top scorer Dani Olmo (7 goals in 32 matches) – they are injured. Also unavailable are Aspiliqueta (Atletico Madrid), Fati (Barcelona), and Pino (Villarreal). Playmaker Pedri (Barcelona) has been out of action since August. However, Carvajal (38 matches) and Balde (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (PSG) have been called up. In Sunday's lineup, we will see national team captain Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid, 34 goals, 67 matches), who has had a fantastic start to the season for the capital club, and played a decisive role on Thursday night.
In the first round in March, the Spaniards thrashed Norway at home with a score of 3:0, with the Norwegians unable to defeat the Southerners for five matches in a row.
Norway cannot afford to stumble in this match, otherwise there will be practically no chance of reaching the top two. 'La Roja', in case of success, can qualify for Euro 2024, but it will be quite difficult to do so, even considering the last two 'clean' victories. The hosts are on a good streak with four victories in a row, so we confidently bet on a non-losing outcome for the red-and-blues.
The Norwegian team scored 15 goals in the last four matches, and they have Erling Holland in attack – what else is needed to score at least once against Spaniards facing staff issues?
Set pieces offer a chance for the home team to outplay the less physical Spaniards in the air, so I'll place a bet on an individual total of corners over 3.5.
Considering the meeting's significance in terms of tournament points, it is reasonable to bet on a total of yellow cards over 3.5.
I'll place a bet on a scoreline of 2:1 in favour of the Norwegian team.
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