Spain are looking to keep their strong World Cup qualification form when they host Georgia at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium on Saturday. Luis de la Fuente’s men have made a perfect start in Group E, scoring nine goals in their first two matches. Their 6–0 victory against Turkey, where Mikel Merino netted a hat-trick, was another reminder of how powerful this Spanish team can be.
However, Spain will not have it all their way this weekend. Dean Huijsen, Lamine Yamal and Rodri are ruled out through injury. Yamal has been sidelined since Hansi Flick shared his injury update ahead of El Clásico preparations, while Rodri is still recovering from a muscle issue that would keep him out of Manchester City’s upcoming fixtures after suffering fresh injury setback. Even without them, Spain’s squad depth gives them enough confidence heading into this match.
Georgia are quietly becoming one of Europe’s most exciting underdogs. PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, even though seems doubtful for the match, and Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze remain the team’s biggest hopes. Both have been in great form and will look to test Spain’s defence whenever they can.
Team News
Spain will miss Dean Huijsen, Lamine Yamal and Rodri. Ferran Torres could take Yamal’s spot on the right, while Martín Zubimendi might start in midfield and Marcos Llorente possibly would fill in for Huijsen. For Georgia, there are no fresh injury concerns. Sagnol is expected to keep faith in the same lineup that performed well at Euro 2024.
Possible Lineups
Spain: Raya; Porro, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Pedri; Torres, Oyarzabal, Williams.
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Kakabadze, Goglichidze, Kashia, Lochoshvili; Tsitaishvili, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili; Davitashvili, Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia.
A 2.7-minute video of Spain’s national team players practicing foot-tennis during their training camp in Madrid was posted on their official X account.
Watch the video below:
SoftFootball’s Prediction
Spain have not lost a World Cup qualifying match at home in more than thirty years. That record speaks volumes about their quality and consistency. Georgia will likely defend deep and play on the counter, but Spain’s attacking options should eventually break through.
Prediction: Spain 4 – 1 Georgia
