Defending World and Europian Champions, Spain, will play France in a Group I World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night at Atletico Madrid's Estadio Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Live Coverage Information: The match will be be telecast live on Ten Action channel at 00:25 IST (Wednesday)
Match Overview:
Spain are on top form, chasing for a 25-match winning run World Cup and European Championship qualifiers. They beat France in their last meeting with a 2-0 scoreline in the quarter-final of Euro 2012, which they eventually won.
However, France striker Karim Benzema said in a recent news conference that it is not impossible to beat the best team in the world and that France can make it happen with hard work. He also went on to say, "We will be 11 warriors on the pitch."
France coach Didier Deschamps said that his players have to run harder to get the ball from their opponents, as Spain's strategy is ball-possession.
"We also have to be able to bring the ball out well and then take what chances we get efficiently," Reuters quoted Deschamps as saying. "I am convinced that coming here and thinking only about defending is not a solution. When you play Spain you know you are going to suffer whatever happens. It's the same for all teams."
However, Spain's Andres Iniesta has warned that he is expecting good performance from the team as they have been playing together for a long time.
Team News:
Coach Vicente del Bosque has announced that Sergio Ramos is back in the team though defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique are not yet fit. Raul Albiol is likely to be introduced in central defence and Andres Iniesta is expected to return to the team after being rested in the last game at Belarus.
Didier Deschamps' team has got a setback with midfielder Clement Chantome ruled out for Tuesday's match following an injury in the 0-1 defeat to Japan. However, Yohan Cabaye and Patrice Evra are back in the team after been away from action a while due to injury.
Prediction:
France are no doubt one of the strongest teams in the world but it looks like Spain are raring to continue their spectacular form. Spain should win Tuesday's game.
Probable Line-Ups:
Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Pedro, Fabregas, Iniesta
France: Lloris, Debuchy, Koscielny, Sakho, Evra, Sissoko, Cabaye, Matuidi, Menez, Benzema, Ribery
