Spain wrap up their October schedule with another UEFA Nations League clash on home soil with Serbia visiting Cordoba on Tuesday night.
Luis de la Fuente’s European champions secured an important 1-0 victory over Denmark at the weekend to climb to the top of Group A4 as they attempt to retain their Nations League crown from 2023.
Victory over Serbia on Matchday 4 would leave La Roja in a very strong position to reach next year’s finals.
Tuesday’s visitors disappointed once again on the big stage at Euro 2024 but head into this one having secured an impressive 2-0 win over Switzerland on Saturday. Serbia’s first win of their Nations League campaign leaves them with a chance of snatching top spot and they’ll move to seven points alongside Spain should they record a historic victory in this fixture.
These two sides played out a drab stalemate in Belgrade at the start of September.
Here is 90min’s guide to Spain vs Serbia.
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Spain team news
Barcelona supporters were sweating over the status of Lamine Yamal after he picked up a knock in Spain’s win on Saturday and the teenage superstar will miss Tuesday’s game with a muscle injury.
However, Yamal is not expected to spend much time on the sidelines and could be back in action for Barca’s La Liga clash with Sevilla this weekend.
Yamal is one of several notable Spaniards absent for Serbia’s visit. The European champions are also without Rodri, Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Gavi and Nico Williams – many of whom played key roles in their Euro 2024 success.
As a result, there aren’t expected to be many changes from the side that beat Denmark, with Villarreal’s Alex Baena potentially replacing Yamal.
Spain predicted lineup vs Serbia (4-2-3-1): Raya; Porro, Vivian, Laporte, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Ruiz; Baena, Pedri, Oyarzabal; Morata.
Serbia team news
Serbia’s impressive win over Switzerland means there’s unlikely to be much change in regards to Dragan Stojkovic’s starting XI.
Dusan Vlahovic’s absence from the squad means Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored at the weekend, will continue to lead the line, while Marko Grujic should continue in midfield despite being withdrawn at half-time against the Swiss.
Andrija Zivkovic misses out due to a knee injury.
Serbia predicted lineup vs Spain (3-4-3): Rajkovic; Erakovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Nedeljkovic, Maksimovic, Grujic, Biramcevic; Samardzic, Mitrovic, Lukic.
Spain vs Serbia score prediction
Serbia underwhelmed at Euro 2024 but they remain a physical and aggressive team that could disrupt Spain’s flow, especially given the injuries the hosts are dealing with. Yamal’s absence is significant and De la Fuente will be deploying an XI almost unrecognisable from the summer in Germany.
Stojkovic’s side will fancy their chances of securing a historic result but they’re still going to have to ride their luck. Spain are going to dominate territorially and likely create the better chances, but Serbia should get a sniff from set-pieces and on the counter-attack.
The hosts understandably remain the favourites, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Serbia nicked a point.
