Spain get their Euro 2020 campaign up and running on home turf tonight when they face Sweden in Seville. La Roja's preparation for the tournament hasn't been ideal, but they are at least unbeaten in eight in the build up to tonight's contest.
Ahead of this Group E clash, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Monday 14th June, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, Seville (Spain)
What TV channel is it on?
BBC One
Previous Meetings
Spain have been the dominant side between these two teams in recent years, and actually last met in Euro 2020 qualifying back in 2019. It took a late Rodrigo Moreno equaliser to rescue a point for La Roja after the experienced Marcus Berg had put Sweden ahead. Spain are unbeaten in four against Sweden, though, winning three, and you have to go back to 2006 for the last time Sweden beat Spain courtesy of goals from Johan Elmander and Marcus Allback.
Team news
Spain avoided a COVID-19 outbreak after both Sergio Busquets and Diego Llorente returned positive tests. Luis Enrique took no risks and implemented a parallel training bubble on the off chance more first team players contracted Coronavirus, but after Llorente tested negative twice, Busquets is the only absent player for La Roja. Rodri is expected to deputise in the middle of the park, but Llorente may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Sweden have also had their issues with COVID-19. Young duo Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg will sit out tonight's meeting with Spain after returning positive tests. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who came out of international retirement earlier this year, is absent for Sweden this summer owing to a knee injury, which is a huge blow for the Blue and Yellow. His absence should see Alexander Isak partner Marcus Berg up front.
Probable XIs
Spain (433) - Simon; M. Llorente, Torres, Laporte, Alba; Thiago, Rodri, Koke; Torres, Moreno, Olmo
Sweden (442) - Nordfeldt; Lustig, Lindelof, Helander, Augustinsson; Claesson, Larsson, Olsson, Forsberg; Isak, Berg
Key Battle: Aymeric Laporte vs Victor Lindelof
With no Sergio Ramos or Gerard Pique in the Spain squad, Luis Enrique must have been breathed a sigh of relief when Aymeric Laporte confirmed his intention to switch international allegience from France to Spain. The 27-year-old was rarely called upon for France, but having been granted Spanish nationality, he was immediately instilled as first choice for Enrique's side.
He affords that calming presence at the back and his range of passing allows Spain to build attacks from the back and through the midfield. While Laporte lost his starting spot to John Stones for Manchester City, he is rightly first choice for La Roja. And it's a Manc rival who'll be seeking to keep Spain at bay in Seville tonight.
Victor Lindelof may divide opinion among Manchester United fans, but he has been one of the first names on the Sweden teamsheet since making his international debut back in 2016. However, the 26-year-old will have his work cut out in Spain as he seeks to keep an attack containing Gerard Moreno, Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo quiet
Score Prediction: Spain 2-1 Sweden
