Tougher Tests Begin for Spain and England.

10/11/2015

For all the great players that England have produced over the years, next year marks the 50th anniversary of their biggest triumph. Half a century will have passed since that World Cup win at Wembley in 1966 could they possibly celebrate the landmark with a victory at Euro 2016?.
Both England and Spain had impressive Euro 2016 qualifying campaigns winning 19 of their 20 combined matches. They weren’t the hardest of groups though so tougher tests are needed now.

Spain v England

Spain and England in a friendly clash in Alicante.

England

England won all ten of their qualifying matches but Switzerland, San Marino, Lithuania, Slovenia and Estonia was a dream group. The most significant game was the first away at Switzerland. English fans hopes weren?t high after the World Cup disaster but two goals from Welbeck secured a win and the rest of the group was plain sailing.

Injuries are a big problem for England at present with almost an entire team on the sidelines. Shaw, Baines, Walcott, Henderson, Oxade-Chamberlain, Wilshere, Sturridge, Welbeck and Ings are all injured and England need them in France next year to have any hopes of success.

Welbeck is particularly important for England having top scored with six goals in qualifying. Wayne Rooney scored five and Harry Kane three. Welbeck and Rooney are important not just for their goals but the experience they have. Strikers such as Kane and Vardy are yet to play at major tournaments.

Midfield is an area where England have depth and some emerging talent. Gerrard and Lampard have gone and so have their goals. No midfielder at present has more than two international goals. Milner, Sterling, Lallana, Henderson, Barkley and Delph are making progress but they need to start getting on the scoresheet to strengthen England?s Championship hopes.

Hart continues to be impressive in goal and if anything does happen to him Butland would be a great replacement. England only conceded three goals in ten qualifying matches despite the retirements of Terry and Cole. Players such as Smalling, Clyne and Cahill have shown improvement but what will happen when the top strikers in Europe face them? Do you believe England can cope with playing away to a strong Spanish side? You can read the detailed preview of the match on Sportytrader.

England have a good mix of youth and experience but will probably be better at the next World Cup than at Euro 2016. They lack creativity though and other nations are still more skilful.

Spain

Whereas England knew they had a tough group in the 2014 World Cup, Spain were the holders and thoroughly expected to do well. They totally collapsed and failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign saw them matched up with Macedonia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus and Luxembourg. They started well with a 5-1 home win over Macedonia but then they slipped to a 2-1 defeat in Slovakia. Any fears of a repeat of the problems in Brazil were wiped out when the Spanish side went on to win their remaining eight qualifiers.

They didn?t just win eight in a row but kept eight clean sheets so there doesn?t seem to be any worries about their defence at the moment. Casillas will be 35 next year but is still holding on to the goalkeepers jersey. If anything does happen to the Porto goalie, David De Gea is waiting in the sidelines.

The Barcelona pair of Pique and Alba remains the cornerstone of their Impressive defence that has recovered from conceding seven goals in three World Cup games. In midfield, Spain still have the ability to dominate against the very best of teams. It?s full of experience with Fabregas, Cazorla, Busquets and Iniesta all having over 75 caps. With quality players such as Isco and Mata this is the strongest part of the Spanish squad.

Up front Spain scored 23 goals in qualifying but they came from 13 different players 22-year-old Paco Alcaser was their top scorer with five goals but Diego Costa is still struggling to become a top international striker with just one goal in nine games for Spain. Pedro, who like Costa is having a difficult season at Chelsea, has scored 16 goals in 53 games for Spain but only scored two in qualifying, the last one being in November 2014.

The Spanish side is full of experience but has a few players such as Fabegras, Pedro and Costa who aren?t having the best of seasons. Spain could do with finding a top striker if they are to be a major force in France next year.

Spain v England Statistics

Spain are unbeaten in their last five internationals.

England are unbeaten in the 14 games they have played since since the 2014 World Cup.

Spain have won their last three home internationals against England without conceding a goal.

England haven?t won in Spain since 1987 but did win the last game played between these two sides in 2011.

Only one side has scored in the last five games between these two sides.