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Spain's team players (from top left) Spain's goalkeeper David de Gea, Spain's defender Sergio Ramos, Spain's forward Diego Costa, Spain's midfielder Sergio Busquets, Spain's defender Gerard Pique, Spain's midfielder David Silva, Spain's defender Dani Carvajal, Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta, Spain's midfielder Vitolo, Spain's midfielder Koke and Spain's defender Jordi Alba poses before the WC 2018 football qualification match between Italy and Spain on October 6, 2016 at the Juventus stadium in Turin / AFP / GIUSEPPE CACACE        (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain's team players (from top left) Spain's goalkeeper David de Gea, Spain's defender Sergio Ramos, Spain's forward Diego Costa, Spain's midfielder Sergio Busquets, Spain's defender Gerard Pique, Spain's midfielder David Silva, Spain's defender Dani Carvajal, Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta, Spain's midfielder Vitolo, Spain's midfielder Koke and Spain's defender Jordi Alba poses before the WC 2018 football qualification match between Italy and Spain on October 6, 2016 at the Juventus stadium in Turin / AFP / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)GIUSEPPE CACACE/Getty Images

Albania vs. Spain: Time, Live Stream and Preview for World Cup 2018 Qualifying

Rob BlanchetteOct 8, 2016

The city of Shkoder plays host to Spain as the European powerhouse travels to Albania in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification in Group G on Sunday.

The home team are the surprise leaders of the group after two matches, ahead of the second-placed Spain and Italy.

Albania have defeated Liechtenstein and FYR Macedonia to record a perfect record in qualification, giving themselves a credible chance of arriving in Russia for the tournament finals.

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Here is how you can watch the vital UEFA game:

Date: Sunday, Oct. 9

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET

VenueLoro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania. 

TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (U.S.), Sky Sports 3 and HD (UK)

Live StreamFox Soccer 2Go, fuboTVSky Go

Preview

Spain experienced a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign, defeated by Croatia and Italy as they crashed out of the competition in the round of 16.

However, the visitors have found a stronger gear in their past three games, defeating the might of Belgium in a friendly, and destroying Liechtenstein by 8-0.

TURIN, ITALY - OCTOBER 06:  Diego Costa of Spain in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Italy and Spain at Juventus Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Turin, Italy.  (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

New coach Julen Lopetegui has an array of stars at his disposal for the match in Albania, and he has picked Ander Herrera ahead of Manchester United team-mate Juan Mata, according to Daniel Sandford of the MailOnline. Cesc Fabregas has also been omitted after struggling for minutes at Chelsea, but Diego Costa is present after a fine start to the new campaign. 

The Brazil-born striker struggled during last term, as the Blues surrendered their Premier League title, and Jose Mourinho was shown the exit door at Stamford Bridge.

Costa is back in shape and firing once again, and he has six goals and two assists to his name in the Premier League after only seven appearances, according to WhoScored.com.

Andres Iniesta is also back in the squad, as confirmed by UEFA EURO:

Despite leading proceedings, Albania made difficult work of Liechtenstein on their recent travels, only earning a 2-0 victory.

Solitary goals in each half gave the Eagles a win, with Bekim Balaj the hero with the winning goal 19 minutes before the end.

Albania offer a credible threat to both Spain and Italy in qualifying, and they have continually improved in recent years.

They are a dangerous prospect in their intimate surroundings in Shkoder, and a difficult playing surface might hinder the natural Spanish game.

Spain's superstars are used to bowling-green quality in the likes of La Liga and the Premier League, and the pitch in Albania will be far from perfect.

Despite this, the visitors should still collect three points, even if they are forced to play a different style, up to Costa in the striker's role.

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