Spain vs. Czechia—Nations League: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Spain continues to look an unbeatable force—can Czechia change that? | Instagaram/sefutbol (Spain), Kristian Skeie/UEFA/Getty Images (Czechia)Spain seeks to extend its extraordinary winning streak when welcoming Czechia to the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in the UEFA Nations League this Saturday.

Spain seeks to extend its extraordinary winning streak when welcoming Czechia to the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in the UEFA Nations League this Saturday.

La Roja will play host in Oviedo having won its last nine matches across all competitions, with two of those victories coming against England and Croatia in the Nations League. The world champion edged a five-goal thriller with the Three Lions, before thrashing Slaven Bilić’s side 4–1.

La Roja will play host in Oviedo having won its last nine matches across all competitions, with two of those victories coming against England and Croatia in the Nations League. The world champion edged a five-goal thriller with the Three Lions, before thrashing Slaven Bilić’s side 4–1.

Another triumph is projected for Luis de la Fuente’s supreme winning machine, with Czechia unlikely to thwart its progress. Having been defeated in both its Nations League matches thus far, its winless run should stretch to a sixth straight match this weekend.

Another triumph is projected for Luis de la Fuente’s supreme winning machine, with Czechia unlikely to thwart its progress. Having been defeated in both its Nations League matches thus far, its winless run should stretch to a sixth straight match this weekend.

While Czechia has a dire record in this fixture, it actually avoided defeat during the most recent meeting in the 2022–23 Nations League. Spain was forced to twice come from behind during a 2–2 draw in Prague which required a last-gasp equalizer.

While Czechia has a dire record in this fixture, it actually avoided defeat during the most recent meeting in the 2022–23 Nations League. Spain was forced to twice come from behind during a 2–2 draw in Prague which required a last-gasp equalizer.

Spain is on fire right now. | Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press/Getty ImagesCan anybody stop Spain right now? Based on its opening two matches of the Nations League, the answer is a resounding no—and Czechia appears extremely unlikely to become the first side since March 2024 to defeat the Iberians.

Can anybody stop Spain right now? Based on its opening two matches of the Nations League, the answer is a resounding no—and Czechia appears extremely unlikely to become the first side since March 2024 to defeat the Iberians.

De la Fuente’s team is working in perfect harmony, whether it be a rigid defensive line, classy midfield or Lamine Yamal-inspired offense. They should rack up three more points against Czechia, further extending their advantage at the summit of Group 3 of League A.

De la Fuente’s team is working in perfect harmony, whether it be a rigid defensive line, classy midfield or Lamine Yamal-inspired offense. They should rack up three more points against Czechia, further extending their advantage at the summit of Group 3 of League A.

Czechia will be fearing the worst and hoping to escape Oviedo with its pride still intact. It’s simply a question of how many goals Spain wins by.

Czechia will be fearing the worst and hoping to escape Oviedo with its pride still intact. It’s simply a question of how many goals Spain wins by.

Some big names could be restored. | FotMobDe la Fuente made five changes against Croatia, but some of those who dropped to the bench are set to make returns against Czechia.

De la Fuente made five changes against Croatia, but some of those who dropped to the bench are set to make returns against Czechia.

Aymeric Laporte should come back into defense to partner Pau Cubarsí, while Rodri could be restored and Pedri introduced in the midfield double pivot. In attack, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo could all make comebacks.

Aymeric Laporte should come back into defense to partner Pau Cubarsí, while Rodri could be restored and Pedri introduced in the midfield double pivot. In attack, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo could all make comebacks.

Yamal will wreak havoc down Spain’s right wing once again, dovetailing with Marc Pubill—who scored a first goal for the national team against Croatia.

Yamal will wreak havoc down Spain’s right wing once again, dovetailing with Marc Pubill—who scored a first goal for the national team against Croatia.

The likes of Álex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal and Fermín López could make big impacts from the bench.

The likes of Álex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal and Fermín López could make big impacts from the bench.

Spain predicted lineup vs. Czechia (4-2-3-1): Simón; Pubill, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Ferran.

Spain predicted lineup vs. Czechia (4-2-3-1): Simón; Pubill, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Ferran.

Czechia will make changes from defeat to England. | FotMobCzechia boss Santi Denia, who was formerly Spain U-21 coach, will be without Pavel Šulc, who is suspended following his red card against England last time out. Adam Karabec is also a doubt with an injury sustained against the Three Lions.

Czechia boss Santi Denia, who was formerly Spain U-21 coach, will be without Pavel Šulc, who is suspended following his red card against England last time out. Adam Karabec is also a doubt with an injury sustained against the Three Lions.

Alex Král could come into the midfield for Šulc and operate in a deeper role to help nullify Spain’s attacking threats. Karabec could be replaced by Ondřej Lingr on the left wing.

Alex Král could come into the midfield for Šulc and operate in a deeper role to help nullify Spain’s attacking threats. Karabec could be replaced by Ondřej Lingr on the left wing.

Vladimír Coufal is a doubt to return at right back after missing the England loss through a knock.

Vladimír Coufal is a doubt to return at right back after missing the England loss through a knock.

With Patrik Schick retiring after the World Cup, the pressure is on Adam Hložek to replace his source of goals. The Hoffenheim forward has only managed five strikes in 48 national team appearances.

With Patrik Schick retiring after the World Cup, the pressure is on Adam Hložek to replace his source of goals. The Hoffenheim forward has only managed five strikes in 48 national team appearances.

Czechia predicted lineup vs. Spain (4-3-3): Kovár; Chaloupek, Hranáč, Krejčí, Sláma; Král, Sadílek, Červ; Ambros, Hložek, Lingr.

Czechia predicted lineup vs. Spain (4-3-3): Kovár; Chaloupek, Hranáč, Krejčí, Sláma; Král, Sadílek, Červ; Ambros, Hložek, Lingr.

Published 31 minutes ago | Modified 31 minutes agoEWAN ROSS-MURRAYEwan Ross-Murray is a soccer writer for SI FC. He boasts years of experience following his First Class Honours in Journalism from the University of Leicester, producing a variety of content from match reports and news pieces to more extensive features on an array of topics. With Scottish, Welsh and English heritage, Ross-Murray’s soccer influences are far-ranging, but his primary focus is on the Premier League and Champions League.