U.S. looks to upset Spain
By SBGGlobal.com
United States vs. Spain
The perfect storm occurred in the Soccer Betting Confederations Cup over the weekend as the United States defeated Egypt 3-0 while Brazil shutout Italy 3-0 as the U.S. squeaked into the semifinals where they will play Spain on Wednesday. Getting to the semifinals for the United States was a minor miracle but winning against Spain would be a major one. Spain has won 15 straight matches overall and is unbeaten in their last 35 matches. "Playing Spain is a challenge," U.S. head coach Bob Bradley said, "Their abilities are outstanding, but we know what we have to do to stop them."
Spain is a -1.5 goal favorite with a total of 2.5 over at SBG Global.
The only thing Spain has to avoid is a letdown as they look to face Brazil in the final. "To get to the final against Brazil would be a great game, something we all thought about before coming and we're on the way," Spain defender Joan Capdevila said, "But to think beyond the semifinals would be an error. Who knows if we'll be there or not, so we have to think about the U.S. and that's it."
Spain is simply the best team in the world right now but they say they are not taking anything for granted against the U.S. "I think we start as favorites just as Brazil is favorites against South Africa," Gerard Pique said. "But as yesterday's group play showed, logic doesn't always exist in football. We have to do our work and come out looking to win from the opening moment and then we can start thinking about the final and our next opponent."
Spain is expected to win but the United States did show they have some ability as Charlie Davies, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey scored goals against Egypt. Matching up with Fernando Torres and David Villa will not be easy though. Dempsey will again have to play well as will Bradley and Landon Donovan. The United States will probably go back to Tim Howard in goal even though Brad Guzan played well against Egypt. “I feel good,” Howard said, “We come into this with high hopes and we’re been given a lifeline, which is really awesome. And that just boosts everybody and gives the mentality of the players better and, obviously, whatever knocks your feeling kind of go away.” Howard believes the U.S. team is ready for the Soccer Betting big match against Spain. “We’ve faced Italy and Brazil and we’ve taken their best punch,” he said. “It wasn’t great on the day. But there’s nothing to be nervous about. We know what Spain are capable of, we know what they’re going to bring.”