Spain vs Australia, FIBA Basketball World Cup semi-final predictions & free picks

FIba Basketball World Cup day 5 predictions

Welcome to our betting predictions and free tips for the FIBA World Cup semi-final between Spain and Australia on Friday, September 13, 2019. In this FIBA World Cup preview we are covering Spain v Australia.

This is somewhat of a surprise match-up but both teams were ultra-impressive in the quarter-finals and it should be a fairly even clash, with the Spaniards higher in the world rankings but Australia a real mover in recent times.

We will preview all remaining matches at the World Cup up to and including the third-place play-off and FIBA World Cup final on Sunday, September 15. The World Gambling List will have you covered with tips and predictions.

Here are our free picks, odds and predictions for day 14 of the FIBA World Cup, which features two semi-finals.

Read more:
Best basketball betting sites
FIBA World Cup Guide
Argentina vs France, FIBA semi-final predictions

FIBA World Cup betting predictions for semi-final

Spain v Australia

Tip-off: 16:00 local time (GMT+8)
Head to head odds: Spain $1.60, Australia $2.36
Handicap odds: Spain (-3.5 points) $1.91, Australia (+3.5 points) $1.91
Venue: Wukesong Sport Arena, Beijing

Tournament results:

Spain (played 6: 6-0)
September 10: d Poland 90-78
September 8: d Serbia 81-69
September 6: d Italy 67-60
September 4: d Iran 73-65
September 2: Puerto Rico 73-63
August 31: Tunisia 101-62

Australia (played 6: 6-0)
September 11: d Czech Republic 82-70
September 9: d France 100-98
September 7: d Dominican Republic 82-76
September 5: d Lithuania 87-82
September 3: d Senegal 81-68
September 1: d Canada 108-92

Spain v Australia predictions: These two undefeated outfits will go toe-to-toe to decide who will play the winner of Argentina and France in the final of the FIBA World Cup.

Spain have been installed $1.60 favourites while Australia also have some love at $2.36 with these prices basically reflecting the teams’ respective positions in the world basketball order. If we were the odds-makers for this one we would probably have it at about even money, given the Boomers’ NBA talent-filled roster.

The Spanish outfit has been impressive with its closest result being a seven-point victory over Italy, while they defeated Poland in impressive fashion in their quarter-final clash.

The Boomers dismissed the Czech Republic in emphatic fashion in their quarter final, running away to win by 12 points, while they also have wins over Lithuania and France, who knocked the USA out in the quarters, at the tournament.

Without a doubt the key for the Boomers is San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills, who is well and truly in the running to win the Most Valuable Player award at the FIBA World Cup. Mills ranks third at the tournament for points per game with 22.2 at 51.2% from the field.

It’s the support players such as Utah Jazz’s Joe Ingles, Andrew Bogut and Cleveland’s Matthew Dellavedova who need to be more productive, particularly on the offensive end, with Mills set to have his hands full with Phoenix guard Ricky Rubio.

Spain have been able to rely on giant centre Marc Gasol at both ends of the court and his battle with Aaron Baynes is looming as one of best of the tournament, with the fiery big man in outstanding touch.

It’s the Spanish ability to spread the scoring load (five different players reached double figures against Poland) that separates them from the Boomers. Superbly led by Phoenix guard Rubio, the likes of Juan and Willy Hernangomez and Gasol have been very consistent over the course of the tournament. Willy in particular was dynamic against Poland, scoring 18 points from limited minutes.

While Spain deserve to be favourites for this clash given their historical match-ups, the Boomers look just as talented on paper, and could cause an upset to go with their practice match win over the USA pre-tournament.

We are predicting the Boomers to reverse the 2016 Olympics bronze medal play-off result, when Spain beat the Boomers in contentious circumstances. The $2.36 on offer is just too good for us to refuse in what we believe is a 50-50 game.

Best bet: Bet on Australia to win at $2.36.

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