Group I preview: Pole position in Spanish sights
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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Vicente del Bosque warned Spain that Lithuania are "a well-organised side" as the world and European champions attempt to knock Scotland off the top of Group I.
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Spain will try to establish themselves at the top of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group I at home to Lithuania, although the Baltic side already have four more points than many would have expected at this stage. Scotland visit Prague where the Czech Republic are in dire need of a morale boost.
Spain v Lithuania, Salamanca
Lithuania have failed to win or even score in four games against Spain, who will be without Xavi Hernández, Jesús Navas, Fernando Torres, Raúl Albiol and Pedro Rodríguez. The world and European champions have recalled Bruno Soriano and Pablo Hernández while Aritz Aduriz and Borja Valero get a chance to earn their first caps. Coach Vicente del Bosque warned: "Lithuania are a well-organised side who don't give you space and have competitive players." Andrés Iniesta should cover in playmaker Xavi's absence. Lithuania are deprived of goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis and striker Andrius Velička, while youngster Mantas Fridrikas dropped out late with a foot injury, leaving Raimondas Žutautas to take just 22 players to Salamanca. The coach said: "We'll probably be chasing the ball for most of the game, but it's our last qualifier this year so we can give it our all, while Spain have a difficult trip to Scotland next."
Czech Republic v Scotland, Prague
Having avoided disaster with a late winner at home against Liechtenstein, Scotland find themselves four points clear of their hosts, though the Czechs have a game in hand. A 1-0 home loss to Lithuania last time out has done Czech coach Michal Bílek's nerves no good, and with first-choice forwards Milan Baroš and Martin Fenin absent, and Roman Bednář lacking match practice, 21-year-old Tomáš Necid and 18-year-old newcomer Václav Kadlec may lead the line. Bílek said: "We have experience of playing under pressure and owe it to our fans to win." Scotland boss Craig Levein has Lee McCulloch suspended while Kirk Broadfoot (foot), Matthew Gilks (leg) and Scott Brown (ankle) sit out the trip to Prague. Hence first call-ups for Sunderland AFC right-back Phil Bardsley and Kilmarnock FC goalkeeper Cameron Bell and the returns of Cardiff City FC's Kevin McNaughton and Watford FC's Don Cowie.
A preview of the next set of fixtures in Group I on Tuesday – Liechtenstein v Czech Republic, and Scotland v Spain – will be published at the weekend.
