Having been paired in Group H with Switzerland, Chile and Honduras, Spain were made World Cup favourites ahead of Brazil to win the tournament. They remain 9-2 favourites with William Hill, Paddy Power making them 11-2 to be runners-up. Other stage of elimination bets available include the last four (11-2 William Hill), quarter-finals (4-1 Sky Bet) and group phase (8-1 Boylesports, Bluesq, 888Sport).
Spain were beaten by France four years ago at the last 16 stage and with Group G (likely to be one of Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal) and H teams set to meet at this point, 7-2 odds with Boylesports look a decent shout.
Other winning/stage odds on offer involving Spain include UEFA to be winning confederation (2-5 Sky Bet and Sporting Bet), Spain being 2-1 (Bet Fred) to reach the final, Europe to be the continent of winner (4-9 various) and Spain to be top European side (11-5 Tote Sport).
A Spain v Brazil final is favouritel, Tote Sport offering it as an 8-1 chance. Other potential opponents odds are given as follows: England 9-1 (Tote Sport), Holland 16-1 (Sky Bet and Tote Sport), Argentina 22-1 (Tote Sport), France 22-1 (Tote Sport), Germany 25-1 (Sky Bet), Italy 25-1 (Sky Bet and Tote Sport), Ivory Coast 50-1 (Sky Bet) and Portugal 50-1 (Sky Bet and Tote Sport).
There is some value to be had from picking out the top team goalscorer for Spain. Bluesq and 888Sport are offering the likes of potential attacking squad members Fernando Llorente (10-1) and Alvaro Negredo (11-1), while attacking midfielder/forward David Silva (11-1) is capable of goals. David Villa (6-4) and Fernando Torres (7-4) are the obvious favourites, the former enjoying a record of 35 goals in 54 internationals.
However, injury worries and a less prolific record for his country than club could mean the Liverpool striker is worth avoiding. The others to watch are midfielders Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas (16-1), Xabi Alonso (20-1) and Xavi (25-1). Incidentally, all except Iniesta have scored for Spain in a major championship finals.
The tournament top goalscorer/Spain to win the World Cup double odds, being offered with Sky Bet offer David Villa as a 25-1 shot (that combination is joint favourite with Brazil/Fabiano), Fernando Torres at 33-1 and Cesc Fabregas an unlikely 300-1.
The ones to watch in terms of players who may or may not be called up for the tournament (all odds with Expekt.com) are Albert Riera, currently out of favour at Liverpool and omitted from the national squad. He is evens to miss out, and 3-4 to be included.
Former Red Alvaro Arbeloa offers versatility in defence and looks a certain squad member - he is 1-4. Alvaro Negredo earned his first cap in the autumn and despite a couple of goals in his four appearances, his place isn't totally secure - particularly after failing to set the world alight at Sevilla since his summer move. He is 9-5 to miss out, 2-5 on to be included. Fernando Llorente is another striker in the mix who there is uncertainty about.
The Athletic Bilbao man is 2-1 to make the squad, and 1-3 to miss out. Barcelona fringe players Bojan and Sergio Busquets are the other two players to catch the eye in terms of potential value. Both are young players who have made their international debuts, and given an injury or two to others, could earn a spot in the final 23. The former is 5-1 to be in, the latter 3-4.
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