World Cup 2026: Spain vs Austria Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Spain face Austria at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, with kickoff at 21:00 CAT in this 2026 World Cup Round of 32 tie. Spain won Group H without conceding a single goal, while Austria edged through as runners up in Group J thanks to a thrilling game which saw them concede a stoppage time goal that looked likely to end their World Cup, only to equalise two minutes later against Algeria. This pits the tournament's tightest defence against a gritty Austrian side that just barely got to this stage. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Spain

Spain were excellent in the group stage, keeping three clean sheets and thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 with Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal both scoring twice. In my opinion they are the most complete side in this part of the draw, controlling games through Rodri and Pedri and carrying constant threat in the final third. The one complication for me is that both first choice wingers, Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino, are injured and miss this game, so a reshaped attack is likely with the likes of Alex Baena and Dani Olmo needed as reinforcements. Despite those injuries, I expect Spain to dominate the ball and patiently pick apart a deep Austrian block.

Predicted Lineup: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Olmo; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.

Austria

Austria reached the knockouts the hard way, snatching second place with a 96th minute equaliser against Algeria and earning their first World Cup win in 36 years against Jordan. From my point of view they are an organised, hard-working side that leans heavily on the veteran Marko Arnautovic up front and the creativity of Marcel Sabitzer. They did concede in two of their three group games though, including three against Algeria, so the defence can be exposed. With David Alaba marshalling the back line, I expect Austria to sit deep, stay compact and look to counter or pinch a goal from a set piece.

Predicted Lineup: A. Schlager; Posch, Danso, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, X. Schlager, Schmid, Laimer, Sabitzer; Arnautovic.

Spain have not conceded a goal at this World Cup and I expect that defensive control to carry them through against limited Austrian opposition. Austria will defend in numbers and make Spain work, but I believe the gulf in quality eventually tells in front of goal. A comfortable Spanish win to nil is my expectation as they progress to the last 16. My forecast: Spain 2 Austria 0.

BTTS: No (1.54)

I am backing both teams not to score and my read on this is that Spain looks set to keep yet another clean sheet. They did not concede once in the group stage and defend as a unit, while Austria struggled to create against Argentina and rely largely on set pieces. With Spain likely to dominate the ball, I expect Austria to be kept off the scoresheet.