Japan vs. Spain Bet Builder Tips: Alba to Assist for the third game in a row

Japan take on Spain in Group E on Thursday with all four sides still having a chance of making it to the last-16. Here at BettingOdds.com, we’ve put together our best Bet Builder tips for the occasion.

After a 1-0 defeat against Costa Rica in their second game of the tournament Japan sit second in the Group E table with three points, level with Costa Rica in third. A victory for Japan against Spain would guarantee the Blue Samurai a place in the knockout stages, although a draw would be enough if Costa Rica fail to beat Germany or if the latter do not win by two goals or more. 

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Spain also failed to take maximum points in their second World Cup match after playing out a 1-1 draw with Germany. La Roja will guarantee themselves a place in the last-16 if they avoid defeat and could even still go through with a defeat due to their goal difference after their 7-0 win over Costa Rica.

In both of our Bet Builders involving Spain so far at this World Cup we have correctly tipped up Jordi Alba to provide an assist anytime in the match, and we are once again doing so for Spain’s final group game with Japan.

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The left-back made four shot creating actions against Costa Rica, more than anyone else in the Spain side, then followed that up with another four against Germany. That was once again more than any other member of the Spain team and it’s also worth noting that in World Cup qualification, Alba led the way for Luis Enrique’s side when it came to assists. 

We’ll be pairing a Jordi Alba anytime assist with Alvaro Morata to score anytime in the match which takes us up to 6/1 using their Bet Builder feature compared to just 4/1 over at Betfair and Paddy Power. 

The 30-year-old has been used as a substitute so far in Spain’s two matches, however on both of those occasions he has come off the bench to score. With two goals in 63 minutes at the tournament we are expecting Morata to start against Japan and with him looking lively in both of his appearances so far it would be no surprise to see him make it three in three. With quotes of odds-against on show to find the net we are happy to include him in this 6/1 poke.

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