Luis de la Fuente and Spain are embracing their tags as favourites to win the World Cup.

Spain are looking to become the fourth nation to simultaneously hold both the Euros and the World Cup, and the first since they themselves did so between 2008 and 2012.

The Opta supercomputer gives Spain a 16.1% chance of lifting the trophy for the second time, more than any other team, with France (13%) the next favourites behind them.

Spain are currently unbeaten in their last 31 competitive matches (W25 D6), since a 2-0 loss at Scotland in March 2023, the nation’s longest ever run of non-friendlies without defeat.

However, they have won only one of their last six matches at the World Cup (D4 L1), a 7-0 victory against Costa Rica in the 2022 group stage.

De la Fuente is full of confidence heading into the tournament, and he is not shying away from expectations, though he is sure there will be tough competition.

“We’re delighted that’s the case,” De la Fuente told Reuters.

“It helps us approach this World Cup ​with great enthusiasm, with the enthusiasm of those who want to achieve something significant, of those who are insatiable in their competitive spirit ​and who want to keep improving.

“If we ​think that being favourites guarantees anything, we’re on the wrong track… it guarantees nothing!

“There are eight or 10 teams where you say, ‘They’re absolutely top-class ​teams’. As good as ours? Of course!

“Do we feel as strong as them at this point? Of course, we do! But that guarantees nothing.”

Spain open their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde in Group H on June 15, before facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in their other group games.