Spain haven’t conceded a goal at the World Cup and have been breached once in their previous five matches against Belgium. It makes sense to stick with La Roja who are genuine title contenders at the tournament.
HTH
Spain have a 12-5 advantage against Belgium alongside six draws. La Roja have won the previous five encounters, scoring 13 goals with one conceded.
Defensive Solidity Defining Spain
Spain remain one of the favourites to win the World Cup where they are yet to concede a goal.
La Roja drew 0-0 against Cabo Verde despite enjoying 74% possession and 27-6 shots. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia before Alex Baena found the net in a 1-0 win against Uruguay.
Luis de la Fuente's side dominated Austria, Oyarzabal bagging another brace in a 3-0 victory, making it 29 goals in 57 internationals.
Spain overcame Portugal in the Round of 16, a game that went down to the wire. Two substitutes combined for the winning goal, Ferran Torres assisting Mikel Merino in added time.
Spain Team News & Predicted Line Up
Luis de la Fuente is unlikely to make many changes to his starting side. Mikel Merino and Ferran Torres might have to settle for substitute appearances.
Spain (4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena; Mikel Oyarzabal
Red Devils Getting it Done
Belgium had a slow start at the World Cup, a 1-1 draw against Egypt followed by a 0-0 draw against Iran where Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the 67th minute.
Rudi Garcia ended the group stage with a thumping 5-1 win against New Zealand. Leandro Trossard scored the opening two goals, Romelu Lukaku registering a goal and an assist off the bench.
The Red Devils came back from the brink to get past Senegal in the Round of 32. Down 2-0 in the 86th minute, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored to take it to extra time where Tielemans converted a penalty with the last kick of the game.
Belgium took their frustrations out on USA to reach the quarter-finals. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice before assisting Hans Vanaken, Lukaku netting in added time to secure a 4-1 victory.
Belgium Team News & Predicted Line Up
Amadou Onana suffered a cruciate ligament injury against the USA and will be out for a significant amount of time. Expect Hans Vanaken to start in midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and Romelu Lukaku are likely to come off the bench.
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper; Hans Vanaken, Nicolas Raskin; Dodi Lukebakio, Youri Tielemans, Leandro Trossard; Charles De Ketelaere