Euro 2016 Qualifiers: Slovakia vs Spain preview

October 8, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Slovakia vs SpainBuoyed by the away victory over Ukraine in their opening match, Slovakia will attempt to move a step closer to the tournament finals by preventing Spain from winning in Bratislava.

That is not going to be ae an easy task though with La Furia Roja recording a 5-1 triumph over FYR Macedonia last time out.

Slovakia are hoping to secure their first ever appearance at the European Championship finals as an independent country, having failed to qualify in five attempts so far.

The national team managed to show a great deal of potential since the disappointing 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, winning four friendly fixtures and losing only to Russia.

Slovakia then enjoyed a bright start to the Euro 2016 qualifiers, recording a very important away win over Ukraine, even if they had been somewhat outplayed by their more illustrious opponents.

Nevertheless, Jan Kozak’s charges will be feeling confident after such a good start and they can be backed at 3.00 (2/1) not to lose against Spain.

There have been no major changes in the squad ahead of qualifiers against Spain and Belarus, although Martin Skrtel is back to the side.

After producing an assist for the all-important goal against Ukraine, Marek Hamsik will again be the man to watch when Slovakia host La Furia Roja.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Kozacik – Pekarik, Durica, Skrtel, Hubocan – Kucka, Pecovsky – Weiss, Hamsik, Mak – Nemec.

Vicente Del Bosque was forced to do some squad rebuilding after Spain had a nightmare tournament at the 2014 World Cup, and there has been no shortage of quality players coming through the ranks.

The likes of Koke and Alcacer were in the starting line-up as La Furia Roja hammered FYR Macedonia in their opening fixture in the Euro 2016 Qualifying, with Barca starlet Munir El Haddadi coming off the bench.

Juan Bernat and Rodrigo Moreno are the latest talented footballers to have received call-ups, and they may even feature against Slovakia.

Once again, Spain have more than enough quality in the squad to ease off to the tournament finals and they are available at 1.44 (4/9) to win in Slovakia.

Marc Bartra has been called to replace injured Sergio Ramos, while Diego Costa should be fit to start despite battling a hamstring problem.

Iker Casillas will keep his place in the side, with Cesc Fabregas and Raul Garcia tipped to start alongside Costa in attack.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Casillas – Juanfran, Pique, Albiol, Alba – Iniesta, Busquets, Koke – Garcia, Costa, Fabregas.

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