Monday, September 5, 2011

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06.09. (Tue) 22:00 Spain - Liechtenstein

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Spain (4-3-1-2):
Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Raul Albiol, Dominguez; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Fabregas; Villa, Torres

Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas are likely to be recalled to the side after impressive cameos against Chile helped rescue victory on Friday evening; with Xabi Alonso and David Silva set the start on the bench.

After Vicente Del Bosque's unsuccessful attempt to play Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez in defence alongside Raul Albiol, defensive reshuffle should also be expected. Sergio Ramos looks set to partner his Real Madrid team-mate while Alvaro Dominguez could make his debut at left-back.

Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique are out due to injury, along with full-back Andoni Iraola; as Spain look to qualify for next summer's European Championships.

Liechtenstein (5-4-1):
Jehle; Oehri, Martin Stocklasa, Michael Stocklasa, Ritzberger, Rechsteiner; N.Hasler, Buchel, Wieser, Burgmeier; Frick

The minnow European nation will go defensive against the World and European champions and expect veteran striker Mario Frick to lead the line upfront on his own with Hans-Peter Zaugg likely to start five defenders in his starting XI.

Creativity in the side ranked 118 in the world will be provided by 18-year-old midfielder Sandro Wieser, who plies his trade in Switzerland with Basel.

DID YOU KNOW?

Spain kicked off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 away win against Liechtenstein back in September last year, courtesy of a double from Fernando Torres and a goal a piece for David Villa and David Silva.

The World and European champions have a 100 per cent record against Liechtenstein in their five meetings.

The game will be played at Logrono's Las Gaunas with Spain's only previous game at the stadium being a 0-0 draw versus Paraguay in October 2002.

Spain have not lost in 21 European Championship games, with their last defeat coming against Northern Ireland (3-2) in September 2006.

Liechtenstein have never scored against the Spanish national side in five attempts, conceding 17 goals in the process.

The minnows have only gone one half of football without conceding against Spain, when they held the World champions to the 76th minute in a 2-0 defeat back in June 2007.

Hans-Peter Zaugg's side are currently bottom of Group I on four points, but are only one point behind third-placed Scotland who they meet on October 6.

Anything other than victory against Spain will officially leave Liechtenstein with no chance of qualifying for Euro 2012.

Prediction
Vicente Del Bosque's men have a 100 per cent record in qualifying for Euro 2012 so far and do not expect anything to change here. Liechtenstein will look to frustrate Spain but the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Villa should be too hot to handle as the World champions coast to victory.
Editor's Prediction
Spain 5-0 Liechtenstein