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Norway vs Spain predicted lineups as the teams in 2nd and 3rd places meet in Group A. Spain are two points better off having played a game less meaning the visitors are firmly in control of their own destiny.
Victory for Spain would see the Iberians qualify for Euro 2024. Norway would leapfrog them into 2nd with a win though and despite the calibre of the opposition, the home team really have to target three points here.
Scotland will also be closely looking on at what happens in Oslo. Should Norway fail to win, Steve Clarke’s men will also seal qualification.
Norway vs Spain predicted lineups
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Norway vs Spain Euro 2024 Qualifying team news
Norway
With two of the brightest young players in world football, hopes were high for Norway heading into this qualification campaign. However they made a woeful start, taking just 1 point from their opening 3 games and it was always going to be an uphill struggle after that.
They can at least take confidence from a 4-0 win in Cyprus on Thursday night with Erling Haaland scoring twice. Martin Odegaard also started that game and Norway should be able to count on their two Premier League stars here too.
They’ve no major injury issues which means it should be something close to Norway’s best eleven for this match. However defender Fredrik Andre Bjorkan was forced to withdraw from the initial squad which also features Manchester City’s 20 year old forward Oscar Bobb and 18 year old Club Brugge talent Antonio Nusa.
Norway predicted lineup
Nyland, Meling, Ostigard, Ajer, Ryerson, Aursnes, Berg, Odegaard, Nusa, Haaland, Sorloth
Spain
Spain took a big leap towards Euro 2024 qualification by defeating group leaders Scotland 2-0 in Seville on Thursday. They were frustrated for much of the game but captain Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute with Oihan Sancet adding another late on.
Given their depth, Spain have often rotated heavily during international breaks with Luis de la Fuente carrying on in much the same vein as Luis Enrique in that regard. This is a tough and important game though, so we may not see quite as many changes this time.
There’ll be at least one enforced alteration with Alejandro Balde picking up an injury that has forced him out of the squad. That should see Real Madrid’s Fran Garcia make only his second appearance for his country at left back. Otherwise Spain could go with the same players that defeated Scotland.
Spain predicted lineup
Simon, Fran Garcia, Laporte, Le Normand, Carvajal, Merino, Rodri, Gavi, Oyarzabal, Morata, Ferran Torres
Featured duel: Haaland vs Laporte
Former Manchester City teammates Erling Haaland and Aymeric Laporte are set to face off here in a key head-to-head duel that may go a long way to determining the outcome of this game.
That’s obviously going to be a huge assignment for Laporte who is now playing his football in Saudi Arabia. The two will have faced off in training in Manchester many times and it’s hard to see anything but Haaland, who has netted once every 89 minutes in the Premier League so far this term, getting the better of the battle.
The big question though will be just how much service Norway can get to Haaland who was unavailable when the sides met earlier in the group. Spain like to dominate possession and had a 75% share of the ball against the Scots and the visitors will most likely see that approach as their best way of keeping Haaland quiet here.
Norway vs Spain predicted lineup – The Final Word
This could be a difficult game for Spain, although it may just suit them that Norway are the team that really needs to chase the win.
If the hosts can get good service to their star striker, they could certainly score goals against this Spanish defence but the visitors will back themselves to take the sting out of the game with their possession-based brand of football.
A close game is likely but Spain should be capable of getting a point which would leave them on the brink of qualification.
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