Spain
The European Champions have been foot perfect so far and have now won 18 of their last 19 games, the exception being in the European Championships when the drew with Italy, but won on penalties. Not since November 2006 have La Furia Roja been on the receiving end of defeat, meaning that they have gone a remarkable 29 games unbeaten.
Andres Iniesta is out of action due to injury, while Francesc Fabregas remains sidelined as well. Typically the Furia Roja operate with a four man defence, but what’s ahead of that is anyone’s guess: Marcos Senna could play in a holding role behind a four-man inventive force and a forward, or David Villa could partner Fernando Torres up front.
Probable Starting XI: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Albiol, Capdevila; Marcos Senna; Cazorla, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Silva; Villa.
Turkey
The Turks look to be in a battle with Belgium and Bosnia for a play off spot and they will be kicking themselves for being held 0-0 in Estonia in their last qualifier. They can be a dangerous side on their day and though it’s almost impossible to oppose Spain in recent times, the Turks may make a decent game of it.
Servet Cetin is absent in central defence. Halil Altintop, Yildiray Basturk, Selcuk Sahin and Gokhan Zan are all out too.
Probable Starting XI: Demirel; Sarioglu, Kas, Emre Asik, Balta; Turan, Mehmet Aurelio, Akman, Tuncay Sanli; Senturk, Nihat.
Form Guide
Spain
11 Feb 09 England (H) WON 2-0 (Friendly)
19 Nov 08 Chile (H) WON 3-0 (Friendly)
15 Oct 08 Belgium (A) WON 2-1 (WCQ)
11 Oct 08 Estonia (A) WON 3-0 (WCQ)
10 Sep 08 Armenia (H) WON 4-0 (WCQ)
Turkey
11 Feb 09 Ivory Coast (H) DREW 1-1 (Friendly)
19 Nov 08 Austria (A) WON 4-2 (Friendly)
15 Oct 08 Estonia (A) DREW 0-0 (WCQ)
11 Oct 08 Bosnia (H) WON 2-1 (WCQ)
10 Sep 08 Belgium (H) DREW 1-1 (WCQ)
Prediction
Spain are favourites to overcome Turkey, but with key playmaker Andres Iniesta absent, anything can happen…
