France and Spain will go head-to-head in the UEFA Nations League semi-final on Thursday night at the MHP Arena, with both sides looking to be in with a chance of becoming the first team to win the competition twice.
Didier Deschamps' side finished top of their group on goal difference ahead of Italy, while also finishing above Belgium and Israel, before defeating Croatia on penalties in the quarter-finals. Ivan De La Fuente's side on the other hand finished top of their group ahead of Denmark, Serbia and Switzerland, before defeating the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Both teams have some big decisions to make with their teams, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect the sides to line up.
France Team News
Doue pushing to start
desire doue champions league final
France come into this game without first-choice central defenders William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano due to injury, while PSG stars Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are pushing to start after their outing in the Champions League final.
Jules Kounde is also unavailable at right-back, while Eduardo Camavinga wasn't called up due to injury. Rayan Cherki, Loic Bade and Pierre Kalulu could all make their first appearances for the senior team.
France Injuries and Suspensions
Player
William Saliba
Dayot Upamecano
Jules Kounde
Eduardo Camavinga
Deschamps Drops Team News Update
Speaking before the game, Deschamps shared an update on his squad ahead of the match.
"This Spain team have already shown their quality, and they are the best side in Europe and probably the best in the world.
"They also may have a few players who are fresher. But still, my team always have the ability to maintain a strong collective and technical rhythm.
"I haven't yet seen a team that has truly found a solution to stop Yamal. Add in the likes of Nico Williams and it's clear Spain have a lot of pace.
"But that doesn't mean we'll be approaching this match waving the white flag."
France Predicted XI
Mbappe to start on the left
Kylian Mbappe in action for France
France Predicted XI: Maignan; Pavard, Konate, L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot, Guendouzi; Olise, Dembele, Mbappe.
France Predicted Substitutes: Samba (GK), Digne (DEF), Lenglet (DEF), Gusto (DEF), Bade (DEF), Kone (MID), Zaire-Emery (MID), Barcola (FWD), Cherki (FWD), Kolo-Muani (FWD), Doue (FWD), Thuram (FWD).
Despite success in the Champions League final, Deschamps is likely to leave young phenom Desire Doue on the bench with Michael Olise starting in attack alongside Kylian Mbappe.
However, Ousmane Dembele could start up front, meaning Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo-Muani will find themselves on the bench.
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Spain Team News
Rodri and Balde not in squad
Manchester City defensive midfielder Rodri at the Etihad Stadium as he recovers from injury
European champions Spain will be without Ballon d'Or holder Rodri and Barcelona star Alejandro Balde for this game after both were left out of the squad following injuries.
Fabian Ruiz took part in the Champions League final and may be rested as a result, with Barcelona duo Pedri and Gavi likely to flank Arsenal-bound Martin Zubimendi in midfield.
Spain Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Rodri
Alejandro Balde
De La Fuente Drops Team News Update
Speaking before the game, De La Fuente shared an update on his squad ahead of the match.
"We have in this tournament the three previous winners of the Nations League, three previous World Cup winners and a previous EURO winner.
"So you certainly can't call it a minor tournament, and we place huge importance upon it.
"I've always said since I arrived that this tournament is actually more difficult than the EURO in the group stage. We'll give it everything, and we want to make history by becoming the first team to win the Nations League twice.
"We will keep competing at the highest level against these teams that could easily be in a World Cup final or another major final tomorrow."
Spain Predicted XI
Yamal and Williams to start
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams
Spain Predicted XI: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Huijsen, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Gavi, Pedri; Yamal, Morata, N. Williams.
Spain Predicted Substitutes: Raya (GK), Le Normand (DEF), Vivian (DEF), Grimaldo (DEF), Merino (MID), Ruiz (MID), Baena (MID), Isco (MID), F. Lopez (MID), Pino (FWD), Oyarzabal (FWD), Samu (FWD).
With a largely-rested squad ahead of this game, Spain are likely to go with a full strength side which means Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will start in attack once more.
That should see £230,000-a-week Arsenal duo David Raya and Mikel Merino benched.
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