Spain suffered an unexpected setback in their goal of qualifying for the UEFA Nations League finals last month as they were stunned 3-2 at home by England.
Luis Enrique’s side must overcome Croatia in Zagreb if they are to secure their place in the knockout rounds of the competition, but face opponents who will be hungry for victory.
The World Cup finalists are out for revenge after being crushed 6-0 by La Roja in Elche back in September, while they face the prospect of relegation from the elite European teams ahead of their final two matches.
| Game | Croatia vs Spain |
| Date | Thursday, November 14 |
| Time | 7:45pm GMT / 2:45pm ET |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial) .
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| N/A | fubo TV (7-day free trial) |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on Sky Sports Premier League and streamed on Sky Go.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports Premier League | Sky Go |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Croatia squad |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Kalinic, Livakovic, Letica |
| Defenders | Vida, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Pivaric, Jedvaj, Mitrovic, Milic, Caleta-Car |
| Midfielders | Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic, Badelj, Brozovic, Rog, Pasalic, Bradaric, Vlasic |
| Forwards | Perisic, Kramaric, Rebic, Pjaca, Brekalo |
Croatia starting XI: Kalinic; Jedvaj, Vida, Lovren, A. Milic; Brozovic, Rakitic; Rebic, Modric, Perisic; Kramaric
| Position | Spain squad |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | De Gea, Arrizabalaga, Lopez |
| Defenders | Azpilicueta, Llorente, Inigo Martinez, Jonny, Ramos, Gaya, Jordi Alba, Hermoso |
| Midfielders | Busquets, Sergio Roberto, Raul, Suso, Rodri, Mendez, Asensio, Fornals, Isco, Ceballos |
| Forwards | Morata, Rodrigo, Iago Aspas |
Spain may not have any pressing selection concerns, but they have seen something of a changing of the guard in recent months with regards their squad. Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and David Silva are among the players who have retired.
Although Jordi Alba has earned a recall, Diego Costa and the red-hot Paco Alcacer have been overlooked, with Alvaro Morata among Luis Enrique’s striking options.
Meanwhile, a raft of inexperienced players, such as Villarreal’s Pablo Fornals, Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos and Celta’s Brais Mendez have been summoned.
Spain starting XI: De Gea; Sergi Roberto, Ramos, Inigo Martinez, Alba; Busquets, Saul, Ceballos; Rodrigo, Isco; Aspas.
Betting & Match Odds
Spain are rated as 6/5 favourites by Bet365. Croatia are priced at 13/5, while a draw can be backed at 12/5.
Match Preview
Getty Images
After coming within a whisker of becoming world champions in the summer, Croatia have arrived back down to earth with a firm bump.
The Nations League has not been kind to them, with a 6-0 loss against Spain followed by a 0-0 draw at home against England, but it is not just in UEFA’s new competition in which they have struggled to find their best.
They picked up a 1-1 friendly draw against a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal in September, while their only win since Russia 2018 came against Jordan last month, achieved in an unconvincing manner thanks to goals from Domagoj Vida and Matej Mitrovic.
Nevertheless, they know that if they win their two forthcoming fixtures, they will be propelled into the Nations League finals.
Spain’s task is simpler. Victory in Zagreb would secure top spot in Group Four and would see them into the play-offs to win the competition.
Luis Enrique’s beginning to life as national team boss has not been without controversy and again his squad selection has raised eyebrows. Paco Alcacer’s absence after explosive form for Dortmund is unusual, particularly as he has included the struggling Alvaro Morata, whose Chelsea team-mate Mikael Alonso is another who can feel aggrieved at not being part of the national set up.
The ex-Roma and Barcelona coach, however, has largely been successful to date. Wins over England, Croatia and Wales justified his selections, but a 3-2 loss in the return match against the Three Lions in Seville last month has raised questions. Spain did rally well in that match but were cut open by their opponents’ pace on the break persistently in the first half.
Failure to top the pool would cast a shadow over his start to life in the Spain dugout and would see the pressure raised on him exponentially ahead of the start of European qualifying proper next year.
