Twitter/X’s top tipster has four player markets in mind for the round of 32 clash.
We’re back with 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 action on Thursday night as Spain take on Austria in LA. La Roja remain among Paddy’s favourites to claim world domination next month but they have work to do as France continue to steal the show.
Luis de la Fuente’s team topped their group and if they can pass this Austrian test, they’ll face either Portugal or Croatia in the last 16. Ahead of this game, social media superstar Andy Robson has whipped up a superb Bet Builder.
All four of his picks are covered by Paddy’s Super Sub offer, meaning if a player is hooked off, the bet carries over to his replacement. So, let’s get those Spain v Austria fancies!
Pedri 2+ fouls won
Konrad Laimer to be shown a card
Marc Cucurella to be shown a card
Lamine Yamal 2+ shots on target
A Bet Builder with these selections pays approximately 50/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Andy’s Bet Club is packed with predictions and data-backed Football Tips. You can also get ready for the rest of the tournament with World Cup 2026 Predictions.
WHEN: Thursday, July 2nd, 8pm
WHERE: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, LA
TV: BBC1/BBCiPlayer/RTE 2
Pedri 2+ fouls won
Pedri continues to impress, and he was fouled three times in just 60 minutes during Spain’s narrow win over Uruguay. That was his first real taste of foul winning at this tournament, with Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia sitting deep and offering little resistance, hardly surprising given the gulf in quality.
Austria, however, should offer more of a challenge and press higher up the pitch. Pedri is a natural magnet for fouls given his influence on proceedings; he typically handles 85 to 100 touches per 90 for club and country, so disrupting Spain often starts with roughing him up.
He won 24 fouls across just nine Champions League starts in 2025/26 (3.11 per 90), and an aggressive Austria side, committing nearly 11.0 fouls per game on average and 13 in their 2-0 defeat to Argentina, should provide similar targeting opportunities here.
Konrad Laimer to be Shown a Card
Laimer has an aggressive edge, and I expect him to be in the mix for a booking. Card betting has been frustrating at this World Cup, with referees letting a lot go; yesterday offered more examples of leniency with obvious yellow card fouls.
Still, Laimer’s personal track record is strong. He was booked in Austria’s loss to Argentina and saw red in a pre-tournament friendly.
Across eight qualifying starts, he picked up one yellow while committing 2.27 fouls per 90. He also collected four yellows in 10 Champions League starts in 2025/26, underlining his habit of finding the book in high-stakes matches.
Marc Cucurella to be Shown a Card
Cucurella tends to thrive on these fiery contests. He has played it safe so far, but anyone who watched him regularly at Chelsea last season knows these are the games where he becomes ultra-aggressive, almost niggly in the tackle.
He is excellent in 1v1 duels and can shut down a direct opponent, but I have noticed he can struggle without that clear assignment. Austria’s fluid forward movement means he will not have a single danger man to track, which could leave him caught out and forced into tactical fouls.
He picked up eight yellows and one red in the Premier League for Chelsea in 2025/26, decent consistency in the card department, and Austria’s best route to success may well come down the flanks, putting Cucurella under pressure.
Lamine Yamal 2+ Shots on Target
There is a touch of frustration for Yamal as he watches the likes of Mbappé, Haaland, and Messi steal the headlines at this World Cup, but the winger is determined to leave his own mark. Still not quite at full sharpness, he will be eager to make an impact as Spain eye a favourable route to the latter stages.
So far in the tournament, Yamal has netted once from eight attempts (5.14 per 90). That volume might look inflated, but he posted 4.64 shots per 90 across his 26 LaLiga starts for Barcelona in 2025/26, and has clearly prioritised goal threat this season, evidenced by a career best 24 goals in all competitions.
In qualifying, he managed 11 shots across just two starts (6.51 per 90), with four on target (2.37 per 90). Fitness concerns aside, he remains a player capable of delivering at this level, and I am backing him to register at least two shots on target here.
Pedri 2+ fouls won
Konrad Laimer to be shown a card
Marc Cucurella to be shown a card
Lamine Yamal 2+ shots on target
A Bet Builder with these selections pays approximately 50/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORETap here for PP.com’s latest football oddsThe Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know