Georgia Archives - LaLiga Expert

Spain vs Georgia predictions and match preview for Sunday's World Cup 2022 qualifier. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as La Roja aim to bounce back from a bad midweek result. DateSunday 5th September 2021Kick-Off20:45 (local time)StadiumEstadio Nuevo ViveroCompetitionWorld Cup 2022 Qualifying Spain vs Georgia Preview Estadio Nuevo Vivero via Josereal09, CC BY-SA 4.0 Spain entertain Georgia in their second match of this international break. It is quite simply a must win game for Luis Enrique’s side after a damaging defeat on Thursday in Stockholm left their hopes of direct qualification to the 2022 World Cup in serious jeopardy. They have to bounce back here in the unlikely setting of Badajoz’s Estadio Nuevo Vivero. Before a ball was kicked, it always looked likely this group would be settled between Spain and Sweden. A surprise home draw against Greece, already left La Roja playing catch-up and they are now in genuine trouble in this group following a 2-1 loss to the Swedes on Thursday night. Despite taking the lead early on thanks to debutant Carlos Soler, Spain lost control of the game and succumbed to strikes from Alexander Isak and Viktor Claesson. Spain are now 2 points behind Sweden in the race for top spot in this group having played a game more. Even only victories from here may not be enough and they will be well aware that the play-off route could be very tough this year with all runners up needing to win two single-legged rounds to progress to Qatar, as opposed to just one two-legged tie in previous years. Judging by the reverse match against Georgia, this game may be no mere formality either. Spain needed a Stoppage Time strike from Dani Olmo to seal victory in Tbilisi back in March. The Georgians proved to be stubborn opponents in that fixture and this is a group that is causing real issues for the 2010 world champions. Luis Enrique will be concerned that the positive energy from the summer success at Euro 2020 is in danger unravelling. Georgia come into this game on the back of a 1-0 home defeat against Kosovo. As a result they only have 1 point from their 4 games and aren’t in any position to challenge for qualification but they have only conceded 5 goals in those 4 games, the same number as their opponents here. They clearly are at least an organised defensive unit under the guidance of former French international Willy Sagnol. Head to Head Last 4 Competitive Meetings: 3 Spain Wins, 1 Georgia Win.Spain came from behind to win 2-1 in Georgia in the reverse fixtures.Georgia won a friendly in Spain in 2016.Spain won both meetings to nil in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Team News Spain have no fresh injury concerns but Luis Enrique is expected to make changes following defeat in Sweden. Rodri and Pablo Sarabia are among those who could come in. Georgia are without some regulars in this squad including centre-back Lasha Dvali. Predicted Spain Starting Lineup: Simon - Gaya, Laporte, Garcia, Llorente - Koke, Rodri, Soler - Sarabia, Morata, Torres (4-3-3) Predicted Georgia Starting Lineup: Loria - Giorbelidze, Kashia, Khocholava, Kakabadze - Kankava, Aburjania - Kiteishvili, Qazaishvili, Tsitaishvili - Kvilitaia (4-2-3-1) Spain vs Georgia Predictions Score Prediction: Spain 2-0 Georgia Spain are still in something of a strange place where it’s hard to truly decipher whether any real progress is being made under Luis Enrique. A Semi-Final at Euro 2020 suggested that most certainly was the case, but they continue to fail to turn control of the ball into genuine dominance of games. They may have to be patient again in order to break down a stubborn Georgian side. A Spanish victory is likely but don’t expect a massacre.

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