Spain vs. Ukraine: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info
Spain will welcome Ukraine to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville on Friday in the fifth round of matches in Euro 2016 qualifying.
Currently sitting second and third in Group C, respectively, this clash is pivotal for both sides as they chase one of the two guaranteed qualification spots in a group currently being led by the undefeated Slovakia.
For Spain, the biggest team news surrounds striker Diego Costa, who, as reported by Sefutbol (Spain's official website), has been withdrawn from the squad due to a hamstring injury. Fellow forward Paco Alcacer is also missing, having only just returned from an extended injury layoff.
Coming in to cover for the Chelsea and Valencia stars is Malaga forward Juanmi, who joins Sergio Asenjo and Vitolo as debutants in Vicente del Bosque's squad.
However, despite a number of new faces, expect the veteran Spain manager to utilise a familiar lineup on Friday. Marca reported earlier this week that Del Bosque had given a number of hints toward his starting XI in training, using Sergio Busquets and Koke together in a pairing that could form the base of the midfield, while Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and Isco worked as group, suggesting they could play as the "three" in a 4-2-3-1.
Up front, Juventus striker Alvaro Morata is likely to start as the team's No. 9.
Ukraine, meanwhile, also have three new faces as they prepare for a meeting with the European champions.
Replacing injured Dynamo Kyiv midfielder Serhiy Sydorchuk is teammate Serhiy Rybalka, who will be joined in the squad by fellow first-timers Ruslan Malinovskiy and Mykyta Burda, per WhoScored.com.
Of course, Ukraine will start as big outsiders for Friday's clash in Seville, but Mykhaylo Fomenko's side has the capacity to pose a threat to the hosts.
Defensively sound—they've conceded only one goal in four qualifying matches thus far—and quick on the break, the visitors will feel they're capable of staying tight and absorbing pressure from La Roja before hitting them on the counter-attack—just as Slovakia did in October.
Date: Friday, March 27
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/3:45 p.m. EDT/8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), Fox Sports Go (U.S.)
Form Lines
| L: 0-1 vs. Germany | W: 3-0 vs. Luxembourg |
| W: 3-0 vs. Belarus | W: 1-0 vs. Macedonia |
| W: 4-0 vs. Luxembourg | W: 2-0 vs. Belarus |
| L: 1-2 vs. Slovakia | L: 0-1 vs. Slovakia |
| W: 5-1 vs. Macedonia | W: 1-0 vs. Moldova |
| L: 0-1 vs. France | W: 2-1 vs. Niger |
Predicted Lineups
Players to Watch
Though Del Bosque spent his pre-match press conference on Thursday discussing the compatibility of Iniesta and Isco, it's the deeper midfield positions for Spain that are the ones to keep an eye on against Ukraine.
In September, La Roja's manager explained that Atletico Madrid's Koke was the future of Spain's midfield—a sentiment that was mirrored by Barcelona great Xavi last March.
Now an integral member of the side, Koke, who's likely to line up at the base of the midfield, gives Spain a different edge with his robust style, direct passing and outstanding dead-ball skills.
With the Spaniards in the middle of a transitional phase, the Atleti star is one of the players who best embodies a certain shift that's taking place for La Roja.
For Ukraine, it's Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko who will pose the most danger to the hosts at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
With Fomenko's men set to sit deep and concede territory and possession to the hosts, the team's ability to counter-attack incisively will be critical if Ukraine hope to take points away from the contest in Seville.
Both strong dribblers and possessing immaculate ball control, the pair of wide attackers will be key in keeping Del Bosque's full-backs accountable and ensuring Ukraine have the ability to punish a Spanish outfit that can leave vast expanses around the centre-backs.
Key Battle
With Costa missing through injury, it will be interesting to watch how Morata is able to occupy the striking position for this Spain team.
Often we've witnessed a certain disconnect between Costa and his midfield team-mates, with La Roja's style not ideal for the Chelsea star.
On Friday, Morata will fill that role and is likely to come up against Yevhen Khacheridi and Yaroslav Rakitskiy, who've led a stingy Ukraine defence in qualifying thus far.
In past games, we've seen how La Roja can become stagnant in attack when the primary forward isn't effective—a precedent that places extra importance on Morata's role on Friday.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Spain: 1/5
Draw: 6/1
Ukraine: 10/1
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