Spain were one of the most impressive sides during the group stage of Euro 2024 and they should prove too hot to handle for tournament shock troops Georgia.

Momentum is very much building for Luis de la Fuente’s side who are currently in the midst of an 11-match unbeaten when excluding friendly fixtures. That streak is made all the more impressive by the fact that Spain have triumphed in 10 of those 11 matches. On top of that, two of those victories came against Georgia during Euro 2024 qualifying, with La Roja crushing the Crusaders by an aggregate scoreline of 10-2.

While their latest meeting with Georgia has the potential to be a much trickier assignment, Spain should assert their authority and navigate their way to the quarter-final stage. This will be the Crusaders’ toughest test to date and their Euro 2024 adventure is expected to come to an end.

The sight of Alvaro Morata spearheading Spain’s attack on Sunday night will likely strike fear into the hearts of Georgia’s defence. The Spanish skipper laid waste to the Crusaders’ backline in Euro 2024 qualifying, netting a hat-trick during a 7-1 demolition job in Tbilisi.

The much-maligned Morata has a proven track record in front of goal on the international stage, having netted 36 times in 76 appearances for his country. The most recent of those goals came against Croatia on matchday one, a strike that made Morata the joint-third highest scorer in European Championship history.

The Spanish striker will also draw confidence from the fact that he scored 21 goals across all competitions for Atletico Madrid last season.

Given the sheer volume of shots that Georgia have conceded across their opening three outings at Euro 2024 so far (71), scoring opportunities are likely to fall Morata’s way. There is no denying he is Spain’s biggest goal threat, so look to the Spanish captain to strike in Cologne.

Marc Cucurella is a fierce competitor and he looks a good value option to commit a minimum of one foul during this round of 16 showdown. Across his two appearances at Euro 2024 so far, the Spanish left-back has given away a combined total of three free kicks.

The 25-year-old is an aggressive presser and tenacious in making attempts to win the ball, something that often lands him in trouble with referees. Cucurella was booked 10 times in just 21 appearances during the most recent Premier League season, averaging 1.22 fouls per-game in process.

Georgia will pose a threat on the counter-attack with the quality of Georges Mikautadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, making Cucurella a strong contender for at least one foul.

Georges Mikautadze has been a revelation for Georgia at Euro 2024. Having scored in each of his country’s three Group F fixtures, Mikautadze emerged from the group stage as the leading goalscorer in the competition. Mikautadze has registered at least one on-target effort in his last four outings for Georgia, including at least one in each of his three appearances at Euro 2024 so far.

His Euro 2024 exploits aren’t just a flash in the pan either – the 23-year-old boasts a notable scoring record of 13 goals in 28 appearances for his country. What’s more, Mikautadze signed off from the most recent Ligue 1 season with 11 goals in his final 12 games, so he is very much a man in form.

Given the regularity in which Mikautadze has been finding the back of net for both club and country of late, a solitary shot on target against Spain stands out at 2.2.

Pedri seems to be relatively overpriced for a shot on target ahead of Sunday’s clash against Georgia. In Spain’s narrow victory over Italy, Pedri had two shots on target.

Like many of his teammates, he was rested for the final group game against Albania, meaning he should be fit and ready to go for Sunday’s clash against Georgia

The midfielder had an expected goals (xG) value of 0.72 in the aforementioned game against Italy, indicating that he was unfortunate not to score, which highlights his importance in the Spanish squad.

Rodri anchors the midfield trio, who apply intense pressure high up the pitch, while Pedri and Fabian Ruiz are tasked with making late runs into the box to capitalize on pullbacks from the skillful pair of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.

Despite limited appearances for Barcelona last season due to injury, Pedri still netted four goals in his 16 starts and scored twice in Spain’s last warm-up match before the tournament against Northern Ireland.

The fact Rodri has already served a one-match suspension at Euro 2024 would suggest that he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. Often the disruptor in the midfield engine room for both club and country, the 28 year-old has committed three fouls and collected two yellow cards across his two appearances at Euro 2024 to date.

Rodri led Spain’s players in terms of fouls per-game averaged during qualifying, giving away 1.29 free-kicks per 90. He was also a frequent offender during the most recent domestic season, averaging 1.30 fouls per-game in the Premier League for Man City, while his Champions League tally sat at 1.16.

Georgia will carry plenty of threat on the counter-attack and their energetic approach could draw plenty of fouls from their Spanish counterparts, making Rodri a prime candidate to be reprimanded twice or more. The Spanish stalwart will be in direct battle with Giorgi Kochorashvili, who has drawn an average of two fouls per-game at Euro 2024 so far, while fellow foul magnet Khvicha Kvaratskhelia being deployed in a more central role should result in him running into Rodri at some point during the game. This bet would have paid out in Spain’s Group B curtain-raiser with Croatia and Rodri’s aggression is likely to ramp up even more now that we’ve reached the knockout round.