Reigning European champions Spain head into the World Cup last 32 unbeaten and having kept three clean sheets to top their group.
However, a resurgent Austria side, back at the finals for the first time since 1998, arrive at Los Angeles Stadium with nothing to lose and a manager who relishes chaos.
Spain are sure to be confident after sweeping World Cup Group H with three wins, conceding nothing across 270 minutes, while Luis de la Fuente's squad depth dwarfs anything Austria can call upon.
Das Team can also take real belief into Thursday's matchup, having needed a 96th-minute Sasa Kalajdzic header to draw 3-3 with Algeria and send both sides through, the final chapter in a group stage that also brought a win over Jordan and a defeat to Argentina.
Spain vs. Austria betting picks and predictions
Austria +1.5 (+105)
Spain are the clear favorites here and should advance, but the matchup favours a controlled performance rather than a rout.
Austria conceded six goals in three group games, yet Ralf Rangnick's high press has caused every opponent problems at some stage and his side scored in every group fixture of the group stage.
La Roja, meanwhile, are managing knocks to Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino and Lamine Yamal's minutes have been carefully rationed throughout the group stage.
That makes a fully open, expansive Spanish performance less likely and gives Austria a route to staying within a goal or two even in defeat.
Spain have not gone beyond the round of 16 since winning it all in 2010 and that history adds a layer of tension that should keep this one from getting away from Austria early.
Under 2.5 goals (+100)
Spain's group stage was built on defensive solidity as much as attacking quality. They have conceded nothing in three matches and faced just a handful of shots from inside their own box across the group stage.
Austria's underlying numbers away from the Algeria shootout are modest.
They created limited chances against an Argentina side that nonetheless restricted them to 0.53 expected goals and their best moments at Euro 2024 came in defensively disciplined matches against superior opposition.
With Spain unlikely to need to chase the game and Austria set up to absorb pressure and break, a tight, low-scoring knockout tie looks the more probable outcome than an end-to-end shootout.
Mikel Oyarzabal to score anytime (+105)
Mikel Oyarzabal leads Spain with two goals at this World Cup and remains the central figure in a Spanish attack that creates chances through patient build-up and late penalty-box arrivals.
He has taken shots in every group game and sits among the shortest prices on the anytime goalscorer market, reflecting both his current form and Austria's defensive vulnerability in transition.
With Yamal and Nico Williams not guaranteed to be at full speed, Oyarzabal's central role makes him Spain's most reliable route to goal on Thursday.
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Spain vs. Austria odds
Spain | -300 |
Tie | +425 |
Austria | +750 |
Spain vs. Austria player props
Anytime goalscorer
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) | +105 |
Lamine Yamal (Spain) | +130 |
Borja Iglesias (Spain) | +130 |
Ferran Torres (Spain) | +130 |
Dani Olmo (Spain) | +187 |
Nico Williams (Spain) | +187 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
