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

* Odds supplied by Betway and accurate when this was published.

Austria meet Spain at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, with the game starting at 21:00 CAT in this Round of 32 tie at the 2026 World Cup. Spain topped Group H without letting in a goal, while Austria squeezed through in second place in Group J after a dramatic match against Algeria, where a stoppage time goal against them seemed to have ended their World Cup before they levelled two minutes later. It is the tournament's meanest defence against a battling Austria team that only just made it this far. Our dedicated section has all our World Cup betting tips.

Spain

Spain were outstanding in the group, keeping three clean sheets and hammering Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal each scoring twice. I think they are the most complete team in this half of the draw, running matches through Rodri and Pedri and always dangerous in the final third. My one concern is that both first choice wide men, Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino, are injured and will sit this out, so expect a changed front line with players such as Alex Baena and Dani Olmo stepping in. Even with those absences, I see Spain keeping the ball and patiently unpicking a deep Austria defence.

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

Austria

Austria made the knockouts the tough way, grabbing second spot with a 96th minute leveller against Algeria and claiming their first World Cup win in 36 years against Jordan. As I see it, they are a well organised, hard working team that relies a lot on veteran striker Marko Arnautovic and the creativity of Marcel Sabitzer. That said, they let in goals in two of their three group matches, three of them against Algeria, so their defence can be opened up. With David Alaba leading the back line, I expect Austria to sit deep, stay tight and try to hit on the break or nick one from a set piece.

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

Spain are yet to concede at this World Cup, and I think that defensive control will see them past a limited Austria side. Austria will get plenty of bodies behind the ball and make Spain sweat, but I believe the difference in class shows in front of goal in the end. I see a comfortable Spain win without conceding as they move into the last 16. My forecast: Spain 2 Austria 0.

BTTS: No (1.54)

My pick is both teams not to score, as Spain look ready to keep another clean sheet. They did not let in a single goal in the group and defend together, while Austria found it hard to create chances against Argentina and depend mostly on set pieces. With Spain set to have most of the ball, I expect Austria to draw a blank.