Spain vs. Norway Betting Tips: 20/1 first goalscorer makes appeal in Malaga

Spain welcome Norway to the La Rosaleda Stadium in their opening Euro 2024 qualification fixture and we've got Jimmy The Punt to supply us with his best bets for the game. Read below about his two selections including a 20/1 poke. 

The visitors will look to qualify for their first major tournaments in 23 years as they head to Malaga. 

A star studded squad certainly bolsters their chances of putting this barren spell to an end, however, they were dealt a huge blow as Erling Haaland was ruled out of this clash due to a groin issue. 

The frontman has helped himself to 42 goals since moving to England, a staggering feat made even more impressive by the fact he has only made 37 appearances for Manchester City. 

Haaland has had a hand in 24 goals in 23 appearances for the Lions, a G+A per 90 average of 1.18, so his absence cannot be understated. 

The visitors embark on a new era as Luis de la Fuente takes charge of his first game since replacing Luis Enrique. His predecessor left the post after his side were knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco on penalties.

Failing to impress in a major tournament since 2010, La Roja’s main focus will be European qualification, though it is expected in a group along with Cyprus, Georgia, Norway and Scotland.

A fit Haaland lends itself to a goal laden clash here, without him, I am siding with unders. Since making his international debut, Haaland has had a direct hand in 56% of his side's goals, without him, it is difficult to see Norway causing Spain too many issues. 

It is also worth noting, on paper, this is Ståle Solbakken’s side's toughest game, a result will be a priority which suggests a low scoring affair. 

In Qatar, half of Spain's games saw this bet clicked, though the underlying data suggests it should have been more. 

They scored nine times, from an xG of 5.64, and conceded three times, from an xGA of 2.22. So, Enrique’s men were clinical and slightly unfortunate defensively.

In the Nations League, siding with a lack of goals would have paid out in two thirds of their six games.

It is a punt, but let me make a case for Martin Odegaard first goalscorer here. 

The midfielder only has one competitive goal for Norway, however, that came in a Euro qualification game, in the absence of Haaland. 

He has found the net 10 times for Arsenal this campaign, making him their third top goalscorer, with two of them coming in his last three games. 

His career goals per 90 average (0.21) makes the 9/1 about him to score anytime a little over two times bigger than it should be. Expecting this to be a low scoring game, I am prepared to take the extra risk of backing him to score first, though it is worth noting he may be a larger price elsewhere. 

Best of luck if you are backing any of these selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.