The qualification campaign for Euro 2024 kicks off and these Spain vs. Norway predictions suggest that it will be the home side that will get those all-important early points on the board ahead of the tournament in Germany next year.   

Spain vs. Norway odds

1 – Spain to win – 4/11

2 – Both teams not to score – 8/13

3 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 9/10

4 – Borja Iglesias to score anytime -10/11

5 – Spain to win 2-0 – 5/1

After the disappointment of crashing out of the World Cup to Morocco on penalties in the round of 16 and the defeat to Japan in the group stage, Spain made the decision to let Luis Enrique go. But instead of going for a big international name, La Roja now have Luis de la Fuente in charge.

He has previously looked after the U-19, U-21 and U-23 sides and will be seen as a stabilising figure who will know the players inside out. He is now tasked with getting Spain to Germany and adding a competitive edge that seemed to elude the team in Qatar.

With no action in between the World Cup and the first Euro qualifying matches, it is difficult to know just how the new Spanish coach will approach this one. But he will definitely want to kick off with a win, before the trip to Scotland in the week. The Nations League finals come later in the year in June.

Norway failed to even qualify for the finals in Qatar after a disappointing end to their campaign. It is now 23 years since they qualified for a major international tournament – but this current squad is promising much.

Head coach Ståle Solbakken has been hit with a real blow though, in that he will be without Erling Haaland, after the Manchester City striker withdrew from the squad because of a groin injury. There is still a lot of talent to choose from but Haaland would have been the focal point of any attack.

Now it will be a question of whether we will see a new-look Spain that looks to take the game to opponents rather than just look after the ball, as was the case under Luis Enrique. But considering that this is the opening game of qualifying, a cautious approach should probably be expected.

Spain undoubtedly have the players able to find the net, but this is likely to be a low-scoring affair – and a bet on a narrow victory for the hosts is probably a good idea. With Gerard Moreno also now ruled out, a punt on his replacement Borja Iglesias to score at any time could also be worth a go.

How to stream Spain vs. Norway

Spain vs. Norway can be watched live on Saturday evening on Viaplay Sports 2 with a monthly subscription.  

Spain vs. Norway last five matches

Spain last five matches

06-12-2022 15:00
01-12-2022 19:00
27-11-2022 19:00
23-11-2022 16:00

Norway last five matches

Norway 1-1 Finland – Friendly 

Republic of Ireland 1-2 Norway – Friendly 

Norway 0-2 Serbia – Nations League 

Slovenia 2-1 Norway – Nations League 

Norway 3-2 Sweden – Nations League 

Spain top goalscorers

N/A

Norway top goalscorers

N/A

Spain vs. Norway line-ups

Spain (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Carvajal, Martinez, Laporte, Balde; Gavi, Rodri, Ceballos; Aspas, Iglesias, Olmo

Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Pedersen, Østigård, Strandberg, Meling; Ødegaard, Berg, Thorsvedt; Dæhli, Sørloth, Elyounoussi

Spain team news

Luis de la Fuente has certainly not been afraid to upset the big names. There is no Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alaba or Sergio Busquets in his first squad – and he has also had to replace the injured Pedri and Gerard Moreno. Borja Iglesias could come in up front, along with the popular Iago Aspas. Kepa Arrizabalaga could get a surprise start, while Barca defender Alejandro Balde may begin at left-back.

Norway team news

The big news for Ståle Solbakken is that he will have to make do without Erling Haaland up front. The Manchester City striker has been enjoying an incredible season and could have made this one a much tougher game to call. Now Real Sociedad’s Alexander Sørloth will be looked to for goals, with Mohamed Elyounoussi also asked to provide an attacking thrust.   

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