England will face Spain in the UEFA Nations League tonight and here is a look at three talking points ahead of this fixture.
Spain’s form v England’s crisis
Spain are in excellent form after their World Cup disappointment, and they have turned things around to be considered the favourites heading into this fixture with England. Spain will be looking to ride on the optimism around their recent outings to win the match like they have done in the past against this opponent at home. Spain have won each of their last four matches against England on home soil by an aggregate score of 6-0 and this will be a huge factor heading into this fixture
The three Lions for their part have not looked anything close to what they were in July with their latest outing ending in a barren draw against Croatia on Friday. The results have been disappointing following one win in three games since the World Cup. A loss could see them relegated from the top tier of the Nations League, something they will want to avoid at all costs. We will have to wait and see if they can pull a major upset away to Spain.
Gareth Southgate v Luis Enrique
England are one of the best teams around the globe despite recent results and credit goes to one man who has been at the helm for quite some time now. Gareth Southgate signed a new contract that would see him lead England to the next World Cup. He has shaped this team into a tactically astute side capable of hurting oppositions with quick forward moves whilst defending in numbers. He is personally happy with the number of chances his side are creating and he will be hoping the likes of Harry Kane can start firing once again.
Luis Enrique’s has started life as Spain coach on good footing and all over sudden Spain pose a direct threat in the final third once again. This is such that they have racked up 12 goals in three matches since his appointment in the summer. His genius will be called upon once again tomorrow, something he is so used to doing at the very highest level.
Spain’s new talent v England’s new talent
Spain have some new exciting talents among their ranks who have recently been on the news doing incredible things across Europe. Paco Alcacer the Barcelona loanee who plying his trade with Borussia Dortmund is one such call-up and he is joined by Marco Asensio and Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso. They might not all get straight starts but some of them will get minutes from the bench.
England have also called up a number of young prospects to the first team whilst others have been absent from the setup for a long time as is the case with Ross Barkley. Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, and James Maddison are just but a few call-ups who will be looking for an opportunity to impress.