Euro 2016 qualifying continues for defending champions Spain on Thursday when they travel to Zilina to face Slovakia in Group C.

Both sides lie on three points at the top of the group after beginning their campaigns with victories - Spain trounced Macedonia 5-1 and Slovakia impressively won away in Ukraine.

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque will assess in-form striker Diego Costa, who was included in the squad but has been nursing an iffy hamstring all season long.

The Chelsea man has said that he will not play for his country if he is not feeling fully fit.

Del Bosque is definitely without Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, who yesterday withdrew from the squad with a calf injury and was replaced by Barcelona's Marc Bartra.

Ramos's place in the starting lineup could be taken by Gerard Pique, who wasn't part of the squad for last month's win over Macedonia.

Pique's Barca teammate Andres Iniesta also missed that win but is back in the squad for the two away matches in Slovakia and Luxembourg.

The hosts' victory in Kiev was one of the best results of the first round of qualifiers and they have won five of their last six international fixtures so will go into this game with plenty of confidence.

Marek Hamsik set up the winner against Ukraine and the Napoli man could again be a key player for Jan Kozak's outfit.

These two last met in Bratislava when they were in the same qualifying group for the 2006 World Cup. It finished 1-1 as Spain came back from a goal down to earn a point thanks to David Villa's 71st-minute strike.

Recent form

Slovakia: WWWLWW

Spain: WLLWLW

Possible starting lineups

Slovakia: Kocazik; Pekarik, Durica, Gyomber, Hubocan; Kucka, Pecovsky; Weiss, Hamsik, Mac; Nemec

Spain: Casillas; Juanfran, Albiol, Pique, Alba; Busquets; Silva, Koke, Iniesta, Fabregas; Pedro

Sports Mole says: 0-3

Written by
Pascal Lemesre

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