UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: Spain vs Germany

Spain had their UEFA Nations League fate in their own hands over the weekend, but a Yann Sommer double-penalty stop to deny Sergio Ramos means they need to beat Germany in order to secure a place in next year's finals. 

Jogi Loew's side have been far from their imperious best in their campaign, but are unbeaten in five, albeit winning just twice, both of which came against Ukraine. That said, they need only to avoid defeat to top Group 4. 

With the UEFA Nations League campaign coming to a head, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including probable XIs, team news and where you can watch the match.  

When is kick off?  

Tuesday 17th November, 19:45 GMT 

Where is the match?  

Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, Seville (Spain) 

Where can I watch it?  

Sky Sports Football 

2020/21 So Far 

Spain haven't been at their very best throughout their UEFA Nations League campaign, with their sole convincing performance coming in a 4-0 win over Ukraine. Andriy Shevchenko's side promptly inflicted Spain's only defeat in Group 4 in the reverse fixture, while a 1-1 draw with Switzerland means Luis Enrique needs to mastermind victory over Germany to book their place in the UEFA Nations League finals. 

Germany are one of three teams yet to lose a League A match and are looking to finish their campaign unbeaten. Jogi Loew will be aware that if they can avoid defeat in Seville, then they will join France in the next round of the competition. The pair played out a 1-1 draw in the reverse match, while Germany's only two wins in the group stage have come against Ukraine. Die Mannschaft haven't lost a game since last September, a 12-game span since defeat at the hands of the Netherlands, which bodes well for the Group 4 leaders. 

Team News 

Luis Enrique surprised many by deciding to use Unai Simon between the sticks against Switzerland on Saturday, and the Athletic Club goalkeeper may keep his place at the expense of David De Gea despite a shaky display in the stalemate. Sergio Busquets is ruled out after sustaining a knee injury in the 1-1 draw over the weekend and joins Jesus Navas, Jose Gaya and Ansu Fati on the sidelines. Manchester City star Rodri is the obvious replacement for the Barcelona absentee. 

Enrique used Dani Olmo as a false nine against Switzerland to mixed effect, with a natural striker in Alvaro Morata possibly coming in. Adama Traore and Sergio Canales may also start at the expense of Ferran Torres and Fabian Ruiz, while Rodrigo Moreno and Koke will be pushing to feature from the off.  

In the Germany camp, Jogi Loew has recovered Toni Kroos from suspension, after the Real Madrid man missed the 3-1 win over Ukraine, but his place on the naughty step is taken up by Antonio Rudiger. After using a 4-3-3 setup against Ukraine, Loew may continue with the system here, which could see Kroos line up alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Leon Goretzka in the middle of the park.  

Philipp Max should keep his place at left-back after a solid showing over the weekend, particularly with Marcel Halstenberg, Nico Schulz and Robin Gosens sidelined. Loew also has a selection conundrum as to who replaces Rudiger at the heart of the defence, with it possible that Robin Koch, who featured in midfield against Ukraine, drops back into defence. 

Probable XIs 

Spain (433) - Simon; Roberto, Ramos, Torres, Reguilon; Canales, Rodri, Merino; Traore, Morata, Oyarzabal 

Germany (433) - Neuer; Ginter, Sule, Koch, Max; Goretzka, Kroos, Gundogan; Sane, Gnabry, Werner

Key Battle - Mikel Oyarzabal vs Timo Werner

Mikel Oyarzabal didn't play in Spain's 1-1 draw with Germany back in September, but his sole UEFA Nations League goal proved vital having bagged the winner against Switzerland last month. The Real Sociedad ace put in a sub-par showing over the weekend, though no player for Luis Enrique's side, Sergio Reguilon and Rodrigo Moreno aside, covered themselves in glory.

That being said, Oyarzabal has been in good form for La Real this season, scoring six and providing two assists across his nine league outings, so if he can transfer his LaLiga goalscoring exploits to the national team, then Enrique has the forward required to help fire Spain to first.

However, in Timo Werner, Jogi Loew has a frontman in flying form of late. The striker netted twice in Germany's 3-1 win over Ukraine to extend this goalscoring streak for club and country to five games. Having taken time to get going, Werner now looks to be unstoppable. The Chelsea star netted in the 1-1 draw with Spain earlier in the year and against a La Roja side that has kept just two clean sheets in their five UEFA Nations League matches, Werner will fancy his chances of extending his goalscoring run.

Prediction: Spain 1-1 Germany