Spain suffered a shock opening defeat to Switzerland last Wednesday but there were still plenty of positives to be taken from their performance and surely they’ll beat Honduras.
Odds on Spain resuming winning ways suggest it is almost a forgone conclusion, they are no bigger than 1.13 to do so, and I saw very little in that first defeat to dissuade me that they are still the team to beat in South Africa.
Switzerland defended resolutely and with terrific discipline to protect their one goal lead against the Euro 2008 winners but, having witnessed Honduras’ fairly inpert display versus Chile, I expect a Spanish backlash to bear fruit and a resounding thumping is on the cards.
Spain created plenty of chances, almost impossible for them not to given a midfield consisting of David Silva, Cesc Fabregas, Andreas Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, and the evidence from Honduras’ defeat at the hands of the South Americans suggests Vicente Del Bosque’s men will enjoy just as many opportunities in front of goal on Monday.
Chile ran Honduras ragged for pretty much the entirety of their opening Group H clash and the scoreline flattered the Central Americans. I expected more from Honduras, but their limitations were exposed and Spain can take full advantage.
Given the early successes for Switzerland and Chile in this section, qualification issues could well be decided by goal difference and providing Spain find an early breakthrough then I can see the floodgates opening.
It remains to be seen whether Fernando Torres is given the nod in attack to start alongside David Villa but it is the new Barcelona signing that should be backed to do the damage and the 1.83 with Stan James about the striker finding the net inside 90 minutes is generous.
Villa, so lethal during Euro 2008, looked sharp against the Swiss, he was certainly unlucky not to open his World Cup account, and is as short as 1.50 with Ladbrokes to score. That is obviously too skinny, but Stan James are fairly out of line with all the other leading firms and the wager looks like excellent business.
I see Spain running riot and Villa will surely be on target if the goals flow for the pre-tournament favourites.
4pts Back David Villa Anytime Scorer (vs. Honduras) @ 1.83 (Stan James)