MY ACCOUNT
Spain and the Czech Republic played out one of the games of the Nations League so far earlier this month and could produce similar fireworks in Sunday’s meeting in Malaga.
Their 2-2 in Prague on Sunday had it all and more of the same is hoped for here.
With Portugal pulling away at the top of Group A2, the pair each need a victory, with Switzerland currently on course to be relegated having lost all three games they have played.
A 1-0 win for La Roja in Switzerland got their campaign back on track, while the Czechs are aiming to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat in Lisbon.
Team news
Aymeric Laporte will again miss out for Spain due to a shoulder injury meaning Diego Llorente and Pau Torres should again start in central defence, although Inigo Martinez could feature.
Luis Enrique has used this period to rotate his troops, with Pablo Sarabia, who scored the crucial goal in Geneva, midfield starlet Gavi and goalkeeper Unai Simon the only players to have started all three Nations League games so far this month.
Meanwhile, Patrik Schick and Tomas Petrasek are both injured for the Czechs.
Jan Kuchta could again lead the line in Schick’s absence, although he is a doubt.
Either way, Jakub Jankto and Adam Hlozek are likely to be the ones to provide support in attack.
As well as Leeds United’s Llorente, Premier League supporters may also recognise the West Ham pair of Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, while Jaroslav Silhavy has hinted that Ales Mandous could start in goal.
The stats
That 2-2 draw in Prague was a fascinating contest, with Jakub Pesek and Kuchta putting the Czechs ahead twice, with first Gavi and then Martinez equalising for the visitors.
A victory at the Sinobo Stadium would have marked the first time the Czechs had ever beaten Spain.
Therefore, they will be eyeing a piece of history at La Rosaleda.
However, Spain have won both previous encounters on the Iberian peninsula, while they also triumphed 1-0 when they were the ‘home’ side in Toulouse at Euro 2016.
The Czechs have also won just one of their last five away games in all competitions, with that sole success coming in a 2-0 victory against Belarus, who were playing at a neutral venue in Kazan.
Predictions
History suggests that it is hard to look past Spain.
La Roja have not lost on home territory since suffering a 3-2 to England in the group stages in the Nations League in 2018, while they were arguably unlucky not to get more from their 1-1 with Portugal on June 2.
With Portugal looking to capitalise on Switzerland’s woes, Spain will feel they need to win to prolong any hopes of making it to next summer’s Nations League Finals, while they are also building towards the World Cup later this year.
Enrique’s side have only improved since their semi-final appearance at Euro 2020 and the coach is clearly thinking about building depth with all the changes he has made.
Therefore, Sarabia could miss out and Alvaro Morata could be one to watch up front.
The 29-year-old, who again looks set for a summer move, has scored four times in as many home games for his country, including against Portugal at the start of the month, and is likely to lead the line.
