Spain Olympics Soccer Team: How They'll Line Up Against Japan

Spain go into the men's Olympic football tournament as one of the hot favourites to win the gold. Only Brazil have slightly better odds among the bookies.

When the senior side is the reigning world and European champion, and both the Under-21s and Under-19s have also won the last tournament they each competed in, it's fair to say expectations are pretty high.

Even the withdrawal of Barcelona's Thiago Alcantara due to injury before the squad traveled to London could not lessen the expectations placed upon an 18-man roster that contains three players who won Euro 2012 less than four weeks ago.

Here is how Luis Milla's side could line up when they face Japan in Thursday's opening Group D fixture at Hampden Park, Glasgow.

GK: David De Gea

The Manchester United No.1 is a shoo-in between the sticks for La Rojita, as the Spain Olympic football team is known.

De Gea arrived at Old Trafford last summer on the back of winning the under-21s, and after an uncertain start appears to have made the first-team spot his own.

The 21-year-old's only competition in London is Diego Marino, who is yet to make a first-team appearance for Villarreal.

RB: Cesar Azpilicueta

Another dead-cert to start against Japan is Azpilicueta, who will wear the captain's armband in London.

The Marseille right-back has attracted a lot of attention this summer, and has been linked with a move to European champions Chelsea (via the Daily Mail).

As reported by the Telegraph, the Blues have already confirmed the signing of one player set to star in London this summer—Brazilian midfielder Oscar—and a good Olympic campaign from Azpilicueta would do his prospects of joining him no harm at all.

CB: Alvaro Dominguez

Despite being 23, Dominguez does not count as an overage player as he did not turn that age until after Spain's qualification had been sealed.

The Atletico Madrid youth product played a key part in both of the Rojiblancos' recent Europa League triumphs.

His exploits impressed Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach enough for them to bring him to Germany this summer.

CB: Alberto Botia

With Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose missing the Olympics due to an unfortunate bout of chickenpox, the second centre-back slot will go either to Real Sociedad's Inigo Martinez or Sporting Gijon's Alberto Botia.

Botia is more likely to get the nod from coach Milla. He is two years San Jose's senior and has more than three times the number of first-team appearances under his belt.

LB: Jordi Alba

The fact that Alba is even in London this summer despite playing every single minute of Spain's victorious Euro 2012 campaign shows just how the Spanish take the Olympics.

Alba was the breakout star of that tournament, and his performances helped earn him a summer move to Barcelona.

According to Goal.com, he joked with midfielder Javi Martinez by asking him to pose for a picture with the other Barca players in the Spain squad.

MF: Isco

Many of Spain's Olympic squad players are already well-known to football fans across the globe, and soon Isco could join that club.

Despite being just 20 years old, he has made an impact on the first team of big-spending Malaga, scoring five goals in 32 appearances in La Liga last season.

The former Valencia player has been compared to Andres Iniesta, and is set to make his mark in London this summer.

MF: Javi Martinez

The highly rated Athletic Bilbao midfielder has been one of the most talked-about players in this summer's transfer window.

Barcelona and Bayern Munich appear to the most likely destinations if Martinez decides to leave the Basque club.

Already a world and European champion at the age of just 23, Martinez will be one of the best players on show at this summer's Games.

MF: Ander Herrera

Martinez's Athletic teammate Herrera is another player to look out for in London.

The midfielder came to prominence during last season's run to the Europa League final, but even before then he was showing his potential at both Athletic and previous club Real Zaragoza.

Herrera scored important goals for Spain during last summer's European Under-21 triumph, scoring in a 1-1 draw with England in the group stage and the opener in the final win over Switzerland.

RF: Cristian Tello

With prodigious young attacker Iker Muniain ruled out of the game against Japan with a thigh muscle injury, Tello is set to step into the breach.

The Barcelona youth product broke into the first team last season, announcing his arrival with two goals in the 7-1 drubbing of Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League knockout phase.

In all, Tello made 22 appearances for Barca last term and scored seven goals. He's not a bad replacement for Muniain, then.

CF: Adrian Lopez

Born on January 8, 1988, 24-year-old Adrian is the oldest player in the Spain squad, a wonderful endorsement of the nation's commitment to young talent.

The Atletico Madrid striker was the top scorer at last summer's European Under-21 championship with five goals, so he is a striker with real pedigree at this level.

On top of that, his 11 goals in last season's victorious Europa League campaign more than justifies his status as one of the top strikers in the Olympics.

LF: Juan Mata

Like Javi Martinez, Mata is already a world and European champion for his country, but he is also a Champions League winner following Chelsea's triumph back in May.

In his debut season in the Premier League last term, Mata scored six goals and registered 13 assists. Only compatriot David Silva created more goals for teammates in the English league last season.

The diminutive forward will provide a lethal link between midfield and attack for Luis Milla's side.