Confederations Cup
2013-06-16 - Spain vs Uruguay
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: FIFA Confederations Cup
Sunday 16 June 2013 - Kick Off 11pm
This game is live on TV
Preview
The reigning World and European Champions will be looking to add another trophy to their previously empty cabinet as Spain take part in their second Confederations Cup. In 2009, Spain finished third, but will be desperate to go better this time around. The first game against Uruguay is expected to be the one that could decide which of these two nations wins the Group, and likely avoids Brazil in the Semi Finals, with Nigeria and Tahiti making up the section.
It is very much expected that Spain will make their way through the Group, but there are some more question marks about Uruguay who have lost some momentum of late. Uruguay's performance in the 2010 World Cup, where they finished fourth, and winning the 2011 Copa America suggested the two time World Cup winners were once again rising to the top of world football.
However, things have slipped remarkably since then and Uruguay are in a tough spot in the qualifiers in South America, even though Brazil are not involved in the section. In a strange turn of events, Uruguay look in a very difficult spot to grab one of the top four automatic qualification spots, while they will be in a fight to even make it to the Play Offs.
They have only won 1 of their last 7 competitive games and there is not a lot of confidence in the squad going into the Confederations Cup.
On the other hand, Spain are unbeaten in 22 games, have won the last three major international tournaments they have entered and look on course to return to Brazil to defend their World Cup that was won in South Africa three years ago.
Spain bring a squad that will be familiar to all in world football as there has been little evolution over the last few years and beating Italy in the European Championships last summer makes them one of the favourites to win the World Cup next year. They will be the absolute favourites to come through this Group and set up the potential Final against Brazil that all the fans will be looking forward to.
The Spanish beat Uruguay 3-1 in a friendly in February and they have won 3 of their last 4 games against them. Spain have never lost a game against Uruguay with 9 previous matches between them.
Prediction
Spain are rightly the favourites to win this game, but they look short considering a draw would set up both of these nations to make it through the Group.
However, Uruguay have been struggling for form and instead I will look for Spain to do something that they are quite familiar with and that is winning the game to nil. Spain keep the ball for long periods and wear down teams and that makes it tough for sides to expose their weaknesses. With the confidence a little short for Uruguay, I think Spain can sneak the win in this one.
The Pick :
Spain 2-0 Uruguay
