Spain v Colombia Betting: Lopetegui's slow starters to take their time to get going again

There should be quite an atmosphere at the Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia for Wednesday's friendly between Spain and Colombia.

The South American country boasts a large and vibrant expatriot population in Spain and the Colombians will be sure to turn up for a chance to see their heroes take on a Spain side in strong form.

La Roja sit top of their World Cup qualifying group, ahead of Italy on goal difference, while March saw them produce an impressive performance to beat France 2-0 in Paris in a friendly.

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Colombia for their part sit second in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying after consecutive wins, although things are so tight in the table that Los Cafeteros are not yet guaranteed a place at Russia 2018. Paddy Power offer the hosts at 1/2 (1.50) for the win, while Colombia can be backed at 11/2 (6.50) and the draw is available at 3/1 (4.00).

The only previous meeting between these two sides was a friendly at the Bernabeu six years ago, which was decided by a solitary goal from David Silva four minutes from time and perhaps we can expect another low scoring encounter.

Colombia may be second in South American World Cup qualifying, yet they are only the sixth top scorers, with their total of 18 goals in 14 far from impressive.

Spain, meanwhile, remain defensively strong with five clean sheets in their last eight matches although it is perhaps worth noting that in friendlies, La Roja have only kept two clean sheets in their last seven games.

Under 2.5 goals in the game is offered at 8/11 (1.73), while opposing both teams to score can be backed at the same odds. A first half that finishes 0-0 is meanwhile priced at 7/4 (2.75) and that could be of interest given that Spain have only scored one first-half goal in their last four friendlies. 

If it might take a while for Julen Lopetegui's side to get going, the price of 15/8 (2.88) for Spain to score the first goal of the game after 28 minutes looks like an excellent option. This bet paid out in the recent friendlies with Belgium and France and should have a strong chance of doing so once more.