vs
Luxembourg
19:45 GMT Logrono, Spain
Friday, October 9th 2015
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Spain take on Luxembourg knowing that they need to win both their remaining games to finish top of Group C qualifying group of the UEFA Euro 2016.
The Spanish are playing their 150th European Championship game and currently sit at the top of the table with two point lead over Slovakia.
While their opponents, Luxembourg, have no chance of qualifying for the game with fourth being the highest place they can finish.
Spain Team News & Tactics
Spain are expected to play a much changed line-up following injuries to Sergi Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Andreas Iniesta ruling them out of the game and Diego Costa suspended.
Vicente Del Bosque is expected to line-up in a 4-3-3 with Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea expected to take the place of captain Iker Casillas, having played all the last seven games for the English side.
The absence of Carvajal and Ramos in the back four will mean that FC Barcelona defender Marc Bartra and Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran are expected to take their place with Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba completing the back four.
The absence of Andres Iniesta due to injury will see Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich start alongside Chelsea FC playmaker Cesc Fabregas and Barca defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets.
Diego Costa’s absence means Alvaro Morata might get the nod to play up-front. The Juventus forward was playing as the main man up-front in training ground drills for the Spaniards, prompting suggestions that he is set to start tonight.
The wide areas are expected to be taken up by Pedro Rodriguez and David Silva.
Spain Predicted Line-up (4-3-3): De Gea, Juanfran, Alba, Pique, Bartra, Busquets, Fabregas, Thiago, Pedro, Silva, Morata
Luxembourg Team News & Tactics
The perennial minnows of European football will be smacking their lips at the prospect of playing some of the biggest stars in world football. Luxembourg will want to make it difficult for Spain in order to go away with their head held high, since they have nothing but pride to play for.
The Luxembourg manager featured in Spain’s 1-0 win over the Luxembourgers on 7 June 2000, and he is expected to field a 5-3-2 formation with goalkeeper Joubert between the sticks needing to have the game of his life to keep the Spanish Armada from flooring them.
Chanot, Martino, Schnell are expected to form the central defensive line, with Janisch and Jan providing the width from the wing-back positions.
Mutsch, Gerson and Payal are the midfield triad expected to keep provide support to the backline from the Spanish onslaught, while Deville and Joachim will be hoping that they get more than scraps to feed on up-front.
Luxembourg Predicted Lineup (5-3-2): Joubert, Janisch, Jan, Chanot, Martino, Schnell, Mutsch, Gerson, Payal, Deville, Joachim
Man to watch:
David Silva
Silva has been in sensational form for Manchester City this season. midfielder’s ability to thread the ball through to attackers will be a highly sought after skill in the game in which Luxembourg are expected to remain deep and compact.
Match Facts:
- Luxembourg have lost 33 of their last 38 matches in the European Championship (including qualifiers).
- Spain have kept a clean sheet in their last 6 matches in the European Championship (including qualifiers).
- Spain have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 6 matches in the European Championship (including qualifiers).
- Spain thrashed Liechtenstein 6-0 in their only previous competitive game in Logrono a a 2011 UEFA European Championship qualifier.
Prediction:
Spain 4-0 Luxembourg
Spain need to win both their games to qualify as group winners and it is games like these that are bread and butter and must-win.
Luxembourg are playing for nothing but pride and the incentive for the Spaniards is there to win the game. The quality in the La Roja squad, despite being hampered by injuries and suspension, should be enough for a comfortable win.