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Spain
V
Slovakia
Estadio Carlos Tartiere, Spain
5th September, 2015; 18:45 GMT
Spain and Slovakia come head to head as both teams look to consolidate their position for Euro 2016. While Slovakia remain unbeaten in their campaign which includes a 2-1 victory over Spain, Del Bosquea s side will be keen to assert their presence as they look to defend their European crown.
Team News, Tactics and Line-ups
Spain
Sitting in the second place in the Group, Spain has the opportunity to go to the top of the table as they face a resilient Slovakian side. Vicente del Bosque will be keen to earn three crucial points as Spain hope to defend their title in France next year.
When it comes to the Spanish national squad, much of the headlines over the summer were grabbed by the goalkeepers as Iker Casillas bid an emotional farewell to Real Madrid while David de Gea and Victor Valdes allegedly suffered Louis Van Gaala s wrath at Manchester United. However, the former Real Madrid goalkeeper is expected to lead the national team against Slovakia in what will be his 100th appearance as the captain.
Del Bosque will be wary of Slovakia as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat earlier in their campaign. Speaking about his midfield options, the manager indicated that Mataa s poor outing with Manchester United last year affected his chances in the national team and that the player will come up against Arsenala s Santi Cazorla in a bid to earn a spot in the starting eleven. Manchester Citya s David Silva is expected to pull the strings in midfield with Diego Costa partnering Valenciaa s Paco Alcacer in the attack.
Probable Starting Line-Up: Casillas (GK); Ramos, Pique, Carvajal, Alba; Busquets, Mata, Iniesta, Silva; Costa, Alcacer
Slovakia
Leading the group and with one foot firmly in Euro 2016, Slovakia will be looking to get their second consecutive win against Spain as they hope to qualify for the tournament for the first time. Slovakia has a 100% win record in the qualification round and will prove to be a stiff opposition against the current champions of Europe.
Slovakia will be without the services of Liverpoola s Martin Skrtel who remains suspended after picking up a booking against Macedonia. Juraj Kucka too is suspended for the tie against Spain which means that the Slovakian national team is likely to led by Marek Hamsik. Missing the influencing presence of Skrtel and Kucka in the team, Slovakia will face a tough task against Spain who will be looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat earlier in the campaign. Robert Vittek, Slovakiaa s highest goal-scorer is expected to lead the teama s attack along with Adam Nemec.
Probable Starting Line-Up: Mucha (GK); Pekarik, Hubocan, Svento, Tesak; Hamsik, Stoch, Mak, Sestak; Vittek, Nemec
Key Facts:
- Three points against Spain will confirm Slovakia a spot in France next year.
- Slovakia has only won once against Spain in 5 outings.
Player To Watch Out For
David Silva will be the player to watch out for as Spain hope to get the better of Slovakia in the run up to Euro 2016. The Spaniard has been in scintillating form with Manchester City and is Spaina s highest goal-scorer in their qualification campaign. Expected to dictate the proceedings against Slovakia, Silvaa s partnership with Iniesta will be the one to watch out for.
Prediction
Spain 2-1 Slovakia
Spain will be expected to earn three points against Slovakia in what is likely to be a tightly fought battle. Spaina s lack of consistency has been a cause for worry for the national team but they will be keen to bounce back following a disappointing out in the World Cup.
