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England national football team
Nations League | League Phase
Sep 8, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
Spain national football team

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Rashford (11')
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Niguez (13'), Rodrigo (32')

How Spain could line up against England

Sports Mole looks at how Spain could line up for Saturday's UEFA Nations League clash against England at Wembley.

Spain will look to embark on a new era following one of the most troubled periods in their recent history when they travel to Wembley to face England on Saturday.

La Roja's penalty shootout defeat to hosts Russia at this summer's World Cup was a shock, but in the grand scheme of things it was perhaps predictable given the disrupted buildup to the tournament.

Unbeaten boss Julen Lopetegui was sensationally sacked on the eve of the competition after accepting a job with Real Madrid, forcing Fernando Hierro to take the reins on emergency notice.

Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is the new man in charge and raised eyebrows with his first squad selection, omitting Jordi Alba and Koke.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Spain could line up against the World Cup semi-finalists.



SPA XI vs. ENG
Spain have been hit by a number of retirements in the wake of the World Cup, with Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and David Silva all calling time on their international careers, but 156-time capped Sergio Ramos remains and will move to within 10 appearances of all-time record-holder Iker Casillas at Wembley.

Diego Costa's withdrawal for personal reasons should see Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata lead the line, with Real Madrid duo Isco and Marco Asensio in support if Enrique sticks with the 4-3-3 formation he favoured at Barcelona.

Alba's absence also opens a door for Marcos Alonso to make just his second cap, while Jose Luis Gaya may also be hopeful of a full international debut at left-back.

Dani Ceballos and Pau Lopez are other potential debutants for La Roja, although neither is expected to start against England with David de Gea continuing in goal and Saul Niguez, Sergio Busquets and Thiago Alcantara making up the midfield.

Alonso could well be the only non-Real Madrid player in the backline too, with Dani Carvajal and Nacho likely to join Ramos in defence.

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Barcelona defender Jordi Alba in action during his side's La Liga clash with Eibar on February 17, 2018
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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