Spain can assure qualification for next summer’s European Championships if they beat Norway on Sunday.
Luis de la Fuente’s side beat Scotland 2-0 in Seville on Wednesday night with goals from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet (who netted on his debut) to move two points clear of Norway with three games to play.
Given that the Norwegians only have two matches left (against Spain and in Scotland), three points for the Spanish on Sunday would mean Norway can’t catch them, while also assuring Scotland’s place in Germany next summer, irrespective of their result in Cyprus.
However, a Norwegian win would lift them above Spain in the group and put the pressure on the Spaniards for their final group matches.
De la Fuente has lost Nico Williams to a back injury (the second time the winger has been injured on international duty in the last month), while left-back Alejandro Balde has also left the squad after suffering a muscle problem on Wednesday.
Villarreal defender Alfonso Pedraza has been called into the squad as cover, but Fran Garcia is likely to get the nod, while Jesus Navas could replace Dani Carvajal on the left.
With Erling Haaland leading the Norway attack, it’s hard to see De la Fuente rotating Robin Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte in central defense, while Rodri Hernandez is a fixture in the midfield holding role – especially as Rodri and Laporte both know Haaland perfectly from Manchester City.
Bryan Zaragoza impressed on his debut and could start on the left wing, but Gavi, Mikel Merino and Alvaro Morata are fixtures in what promises to be a physical game.
