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Attention in Group A of the European Qualifiers will turn to Granada this evening, as Spain host Cyprus at Los Carmenes stadium in their final game of the September international fixtures.
It’s set to be a difficult fixture to the visitors, who will be hoping to cause an upset of some form tonight if they can dull the threat of the Spaniards.
Spain vs Cyprus predicted lineups and news
Contents
You’d have to go back to 1999 to review the last time that the two nations met in the European Qualifiers, with Temur Ketsbaia not likely to look to that night for inspiration.
Spain were 8-0 winners on that occasion, with tonight’s affair looking to be an uphill battle for the Cypriots, who are yet to pick up a point in Group A, while Spain will be hoping to build some form.
Team news: Spain
Last time out, Luis de la Fuente’s side were hugely victorious over Georgia, winning 7-1 to make a statement to the rest of the group.
It hasn’t always been an easy ride for Spain in Group A, as they faced a second game defeat to Scotland back in March, and will now be hoping to close a gap on the group leaders.
Luckily, De La Fuente’s squad have two games in hand on the Scots, as well as a game in hand on Norway in 3rd place, leaving room to catch up if they can build a run of form.
On the injury front, Marco Asensio and Dani Olmo have departed the squad due to injury, with Yeremy Pino and Ferran Torres replacing the duo going forward in this round of fixtures.
Due to the injuries to their two attacking options, the path could be made for Lamine Yamal to make his first start, with Nico Williams also in with a chance of starting.
Spain predicted lineup
Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Balde, Ruiz, Rodri, Gavi, Yamal, Asensio, N Williams
Team news: Cyprus
Cyprus will want to break the narrative of their dreadful start to the group, in which they have lost all four games and conceded 11 goals in the process.
It was somewhat expected for a side ranked 121st by FIFA in the recent world rankings, however Ketsbaia’s squad have shown glimpses of threat by scoring twice.
Last time out it was a case of deja vu for Cyprus, as they were defeated 3-0 by Scotland, just as they were in their opening game of Group A back in March. Scott McTominay and John McGinn scored once again against the Cypriots, making their hopes of qualifying even more slim.
Unlike Spain, there are no injuries to report on for Cyprus, however it is expected that Ioannis Pittas could start tonight after putting in a strong cameo off the bench in the last game.
Cyprus predicted lineup
Mall, Karo, Laifis, Roberge, Antoniou, Kyriakou, Ioannou, Charalampous, Correia, Kastanos, Pittas
Will Lamine Yamal start?
He was the talk of the squad in the build up to Spain’s previous match, and stole the attention once more after the game, as Lamine Yamal became the youngest player in history to represent the Spanish national team.
📽️ – Lamine Yamal's goal against Georgia. 🇪🇸🌟pic.twitter.com/XZPowWOzRK
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) September 8, 2023
The 16-year-old scored against Georgia in his early introduction to international football, and could now rewrite history again and start against Cyprus.
Injuries to the front line could bolster his chances of getting his first start, in what could be a memorable fixture for the Barcelona starlet.
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