Spain get their Olympic football tournament underway at London 2012 against Japan on Thursday and the Spanish are overwhelming favourites to get underway with a win.

1118bet make are currently the best place to back Spain, at odds of 5/12 while William Hill are top price on the draw (4/1) and Japan are at 8/1 with Bet365.

Spain are second favourites to win gold at the Olympics and their youngsters play exactly the same way as the senior squad, keeping the ball and wearing their opponents down. Their squad consists of the likes of Juan Mata of Chelsea, Euro 2012 sensation Jordi Alba, captain Javi Martinez and striker Adrian Lopez. A number of these players won the Under-21 European Championships last summer and this current crop should cause Japan all kinds of trouble.

In truth this will be Spain’s toughest task of the group stage but Japan should not trouble the Iberians. Despite recently beating the Netherlands and Mexico they lost to Turkey and Egypt and they are something of an unknown quantity to European nations.

Looking at the betting for this one, Spain on the handicap markets appeal, especially given that they will look to wear Japan down with their tika-taka style so Spain -1 (6/5) looks a winnable option with Bet365.

In the goalscorer markets it is Adrian Lopez that leads the way at 4/1 (Bet365) but it is Chelsea’s Juan Mata that could be the answer at an attractive looking 13/2 (Bet Victor). The Chelsea man played five minutes of the Euro 2012 campaign, and scored in the final and his experience could be vital in Spain’s plight at Euro 2012. Japan’s best hope of a goal comes from Kensuke Nagai who is 12/1 to score first and 4/1 (Paddy Power) to score anytime.

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Spain vs Japan Betting Tips

Spain to win (-1 handicap) – 6/5 with Bet365: open a new bet365 account and get a free £200 bet

Juan Mata to score first – (13/2 Bet Victor) and anytime (15/8 William Hill): open a new William Hill account using promo code F25 and get a free £25 bet.