Defending champions Spain face a dangerous Ukraine side in a very important Euro 2016 qualifying match on Friday. Spain and Ukraine are tied on nine points ahead of the game and both behind Group C leaders Slovakia who recorded 12 points out of four games.
Spain were handed a shock defeat in Slovakia in September, so they will need to beat Ukraine if they want to keep the pace since Slovakia are hosting Luxembourg on the same day. The Spaniards have not lost any of their last 29 matches at home and also have a good record against Ukraine with two consecutive wins in the last couple of matches.
However, head coach Vicente Del Bosque will have to do without star striker Diego Costa, who is out with a hamstring strain. In his absence Alvaro Morata should be given the central striker role, with David Silva and Pedro on support duty from the wings. Ukraine also lost to Slovakia in their first group match but then snatched three consecutive wins and kept a clean sheet in the process.
Probable line-ups:
Spain: Casillas - Juanfran, Ramos, Pique, Alba - Busquets, Iniesta, Fabregas - Pedro, Morata, Silva
Ukraine: Pyatov - Fedetskiy, Rakitskiy, Khacheridi, Shevchuk - Stepanenko, Tymoshchuk, Konoplyanka, Yarmolenko - Zozulya, Oliynyk
My prediction: Spain to win 1-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Spain win - 3/10 Draw - 9/2 Ukraine win - 12/1
mdacic 8 years ago
This was very important win for Spain but they keep struggling to score. They score only one goal and win here but for me this is reason to be concerned. If they can't score more than one goal versus Ukraine at home I think that they don't have any chances to win European championship. They will qualify for this competition...
This was very important win for Spain but they keep struggling to score. They score only one goal and win here but for me this is reason to be concerned. If they can't score more than one goal versus Ukraine at home I think that they don't have any chances to win European championship. They will qualify for this competition easy but I don't think that they can do something more with this kind of play.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Johnajax 8 years ago
I was watching this match and I must say that Spain should be happy with this result. Ukraine played well, much better than I expect and Spain had a lot of troubles last night. Spain had great start, few great opportunities but later Ukraine start to play well and maybe they deserved draw here.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
seculla 8 years ago
Despite we all expected Spain to win with more goal difference, it turns that that will not be the truth. Yes, they won with a goal from Alvaro Morata, his first for Spain's A team, and that is a good thing, but on the other side I think that if this match will be played 3-4 years ago the goal difference would be more bigger....
Despite we all expected Spain to win with more goal difference, it turns that that will not be the truth. Yes, they won with a goal from Alvaro Morata, his first for Spain's A team, and that is a good thing, but on the other side I think that if this match will be played 3-4 years ago the goal difference would be more bigger. All I wanted to say was that Spain is not that Spain that we've seen last years, but on the other side they are still very good national team and I'm pretty sure that they will be one of the biggest favorites for winning EURO 2016.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
sharpe 8 years ago
Obviously Spain is a big favourite in that one and everything except a win will be huge failure for them, especially after the loss from Slovakia. The absence of Diego Costa don't have to be a huge problem for Spain because they have many class players up front. Have to be a home win.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
h34dhunt3r 8 years ago
Spain might be shacken up a bit. Last time team was together they lost vs Slovakia, and now they are looking for blood. Winter break suited them fine. I'm not sure why bookmakers set it this high on Spain (from 1,7 to 1,9) since it looks for me like easy money. I can't actually predict how result will go. If Spain scores...
Spain might be shacken up a bit. Last time team was together they lost vs Slovakia, and now they are looking for blood. Winter break suited them fine. I'm not sure why bookmakers set it this high on Spain (from 1,7 to 1,9) since it looks for me like easy money. I can't actually predict how result will go. If Spain scores in early stages of first half, this can be sad day for Ukranian fans. But in one thing I am ceretain - Espania will win. My predictions: - Result: 4:0 for Spain - Man of the match: Ãlvaro Morata
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Johnajax 8 years ago
This is very important match for Spain. After their loss against Slovakia they must win this match. Ukraine is in good form but I think that Spain is big favorite here. They have great players and at home they should win this game easy. I think that we will see match with small number of goals and Spain will win. My prediction...
This is very important match for Spain. After their loss against Slovakia they must win this match. Ukraine is in good form but I think that Spain is big favorite here. They have great players and at home they should win this game easy. I think that we will see match with small number of goals and Spain will win. My prediction is 2-0 for home team.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.