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International football

Slick Spain look set for a stroll against out-of-form England in Seville

Three Lions have not won for four competitive matches

Harry Maguire of England and Iago Aspas of Spain in action
Harry Maguire of England and Iago Aspas of Spain in actionCredit: Catherine Ivill

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England have not won in four competitive games since the heady days of their 2-0 success over Sweden in the World Cup quarter-finals and they are odds-on to lose to Spain at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville, ending any slim hopes of qualifying for next summer's Nations League finals.

Gareth Southgate argued that his team created the better chances in Friday's 0-0 draw with Croatia and deserved to take three points.

But the draw leaves England five points adrift of leaders Spain with two games to go and the Three Lions will be weaker against the Iberians with John Stones and Jordan Henderson serving one-match bans.

In addition to the enforced changes Southgate may look to tinker with his starting line up but his room for manoeuvre is restricted by a lack of experience in the squad.

The last thing captain Harry Kane needs is more games – he played seven matches in September and is on course to play another seven in October.

But Southgate's attacking options have been hit by Jamie Vardy's retirement from international football and the reluctance to hand a recall to Daniel Sturridge.

Kane insists he is fine to carry on playing but looked a long way from his best against Croatia and is unlikely to be any more effective against Spain, who look set to dominate possession.

England's midfield options looked threadbare before the Croatia game and have been further reduced by Henderson's suspension.

Harry Winks looks the likeliest candidate to step into the breach, joining Ross Barkley and Eric Dier.

None of the trio are automatic first choices for their clubs but the alternatives are Nathaniel Chalobah, who hasn't started a league game for Watford this season, and Chelsea youngster Mason Mount, who is playing on loan at Derby in the Sky Bet Championship.

By comparison Spain have an embarrassment of riches in midfield and can turn to vastly experienced trio Thiago Alcantara, Sergio Busquets and Saul Niguez, who were rested on Wednesday as a largely second-string side hammered Wales 4-1 in a Cardiff friendly.

England had a far stronger midfield when hosting Spain at Wembley last month (Deli Alli and Jesse Lingard playing ahead of Henderson) but were still chasing shadows for most of the evening.

It could be a lot more one-sided in Seville and the gamble on Spain, who have shortened from 10-11 to 8-13, looks entirely justified.

It should be a comfortable home victory and the 2-0 Spain correct score looks value at 13-2.

England will not have to worry about classy attacking midfielder Isco, who has undergone appendix surgery since causing them so many problems last month.

But Spain possess a lot of sharp, incisive attackers, including Iago Aspas, who is playing as well as ever since passing 30.

The 31-year-old Celta Vigo striker has netted five goals in La Liga this term and looks overpriced at 5-1 to net the opener.

Recommendations
Spain to win 2-0
1pt 13-2 BoyleSports
I Aspas first scorer
1pt 5-1BoyleSports

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Spain
No fresh injuries are reported but Isco (appendix operation) was unable to make the squad.

England
Jordan Henderson and John Stones are suspended and Alex McCarthy, Danny Rose, James Tarkowski, Luke Shaw and Danny Welbeck withdrew from the squad due to injuries.

Key stat
Spain have not lost any of their last 27 matches.

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Dan ChildsRacing Post Sport

Published on 14 October 2018inInternational football

Last updated 18:17, 15 October 2018

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