The UEFA Nations League returns this week and this fixture between Spain and Serbia features the winners of the 2024 European Championships.
La Roja defeated England to win the tournament a couple of months ago, and will still be feeling that high heading into the Nations League.
Match Preview
Serbia recent form
Serbia failed to make it out of the group stage at the Euros after accumulating just two points. They lost against England and drew against Slovenia and Denmark.
They only scored one goal in the tournament.
Serbia injury news
Serbia are missing a number of key players. Dusan Vlahovic asked not to be selected for family reasons, while Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are injured.
Dusan Tadic has retired from international football.
Dragan Stojkovic has called up five previously uncapped players for the two games over the next week.
Spain recent form
Spain were certainly deserved winners of the Euros as they remarkably won every single match on the way to glory.
They defeated Croatia, Spain and Albania in the group stage then Georgia, Germany and France in successive knockout stages.
In the final, they defeated England 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal.
Spain injury news
Two of Spain’s key players at the Euros, Alvaro Morata and Unai Simon, are set to miss the two Nations League games due to injury.
There is one fresh face in the squad in the form of Celta defender Oscar Mingueza.
Aleix Garcia, Pau Torres, Yeremy Pino and Robert Sanchez have been recalled after missing the Euros squad.
Serbia – Player to Watch?
In the absence of Mitrovic, Luka Jovic might be handed a start up top.
Spain – Player to Watch?
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the Euros belonged to Lamine Yamal as the young teenager scored a dream strike against Germany in the semi-final stage. Spain have a star on that right wing for the next 15 years.
This game may be in Belgrade, but Serbia are missing so many important players that it is hard to see beyond a Spain victory…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/news/serbia-vs-spain-uefa-nations-league-prediction/5679
Author : [email protected] (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-09-04 07:30:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.