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Portugal vs Spain Expected Starting XI: Full Barcelona contingent set to start for La Roja

By Benjamin Barkworth

Spain's national football team squad pose at Las Rozas de Madrid sports city on June 5, 2018. (Back L-R) Spain's forward Iago Aspas, Spain's defender Dani Carvajal, Spain's midfielder Saul Niguez, Spain's goalkeeper Pepe Reina, Spain's goalkeeper David de Gea, Spain's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Spain's midfielder Marco Asensio and Spain's forward Rodrigo Moreno (center L-R) Spain's midfielder Isco, Spain's defender Gerard Pique, Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta, Spain's coach Julen Lopetegui, Spanish Royal Footbal Federation (RFEF) president Luis Manuel Rubiales, Spain's defender Sergio Ramos, Spain's defender Sergio Busquets, Spain's forward Rodrigo Moreno, Spain's midfielder Thiago and Spain's defender Nacho Monreal (front L-R) Spain's defender Alvaro Odriozola, Spain's defender Nacho, Spain's defender Cesar Azpilicueta, Spain's defender Jordi Alba, Spain's midfielder David Silva, Spain's midfielder Koke, Spain's forward Diego Costa and Spain's forward Lucas Vazquez. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain's national football team squad pose at Las Rozas de Madrid sports city on June 5, 2018. (Back L-R) Spain's forward Iago Aspas, Spain's defender Dani Carvajal, Spain's midfielder Saul Niguez, Spain's goalkeeper Pepe Reina, Spain's goalkeeper David de Gea, Spain's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Spain's midfielder Marco Asensio and Spain's forward Rodrigo Moreno (center L-R) Spain's midfielder Isco, Spain's defender Gerard Pique, Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta, Spain's coach Julen Lopetegui, Spanish Royal Footbal Federation (RFEF) president Luis Manuel Rubiales, Spain's defender Sergio Ramos, Spain's defender Sergio Busquets, Spain's forward Rodrigo Moreno, Spain's midfielder Thiago and Spain's defender Nacho Monreal (front L-R) Spain's defender Alvaro Odriozola, Spain's defender Nacho, Spain's defender Cesar Azpilicueta, Spain's defender Jordi Alba, Spain's midfielder David Silva, Spain's midfielder Koke, Spain's forward Diego Costa and Spain's forward Lucas Vazquez. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Spain have a tough start to their World Cup campaign against fellow European side Portugal.

Group B is an interesting mix with two clear favourites, although Morocco or Iran could spring a surprise. Therefore, no game is likely to be easy in this group especially if one of these teams loses this opening match. La Roja’s preparation has been sidetracked by the sacking of manager Julen Lopetegui after he decided to take the Real Madrid job. However, they still have one of the strongest squads in the tournament.

Portugal come into this tournament as Euro 2016 winners, so they will be aiming to build on that achievement. Fernando Santos has built a system which can grind out matches due to a strong midfield and experienced defence. They also have numerous attacking threats such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Andre Silva and Bernardo Silva.

Expected Starting XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

Defence: Nacho Fernandez, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba

Midfield: Thiago, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta

Forwards: David Silva, Iago Aspas, Isco

There are a few areas of this squad up for contention, but the majority have already been decided. 4-3-3 should be the main formation for the tournament because the team is most used to this. Fernando Hierro is likely to be more conservative than Lopetegui, so he’s unlikely to deviate too much from pre-tournament preparations.

The right-back position is the only area that could be differ in defence. Dani Carvajal will miss this game because he hasn’t fully recovered from his injury. Therefore, the competition is between Nacho and Alvaro Odriozola, with the the Real Sociedad man likely to lose out due to his positional indiscipline against Tunisia. It was an odd choice to choose him over Sergi Roberto. Nacho provides a safe option, but it will hinder their attacking width.

Thiago should get the nod over Koke, although rotation between the two could be common over the tournament. This is a really strong midfield three which should be able to dictate the game. Iniesta is unlikely to last the full 90 minutes, but there are plenty of options off the bench. Isco could drop into his role with Marco Asensio coming on to add more directness to their play.

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Silva should start on the right, but Lucas Vazquez may come on in the second half to stretch the opposition horizontally because of the lack of width on that side without Carvajal. Aspas, Rodrigo and Diego Costa all have a realistic chance of starting. However, Costa is risky due to his temperament and Aspas is the best in linking up in the final third. This will be key against a well-organised Portugal side because they need someone who can work well in tight spaces and create their own openings.