Defending champions Spain visit Paris to take on France in the pick of the World Cup qualifiers in this international break. Les Blues are leading Group I, with 10 points from four games, two above second-placed La Roja and tonight's showpiece event could leave one of European giants struggling for a place in Brazil next summer.

Spain train
Reuters

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 8pm GMT. Watch the game's highlights on ITV and ITV HD at 10.50pm.

Overview

Vicente del Bosque men are currently enjoying a 19-match unbeaten run, winning 14 of them. However, the World and European champions were pegged back by the 1-1 draw at home against Finland last week. Sergio Ramos marked his 100th cap with a goal in the 49th minute, giving Spain the lead, but Schalke striker Teemu Pukki scored late to earn his country a point.

France, on the other hand, are on a 13-game unbeaten run themselves, when it comes to World Cup and Euro qualifiers. Didier Deschamps' men posted a comfortable 3-1 home win over Georgia last week, courtesy of a spectacular performance from Mathieu Valbuena, who scored a fine goal and made two assists.

Immediate history favours Spain in this fixture as Les Bleus have won just one of their last six encounters against the champions, losing four. However, France drew 1-1 away at Madrid back, thanks to Olivier Giroud's 94<sup>th-minute header that cancelled out Ramos' first half goal.

Form Guide

France

  • Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): W L W D L
  • Last Match: France 3 - 1 Georgia

Spain

  • Last Five Games (all competitions, most recent first): D W W D W
  • Last Match: Spain 1 - 1 Finland
France train
Reuters

Team News

France: Deschamps has no injury worries after the Georgia game but is likely revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the out-of-form Karim Benzema dropping to the bench and Olivier Giroud playing the lone centre forward.

Yohan Cabaye and Patrice Evra could return to the starting XI, at the expense of Benzema and Gael Clichy. Otherwise, Les Blues should field the same line-up that won 3-1 last week, with youngsters Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba keeping their place after producing impressive international debuts.

Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Jallet, Varane, Sakho, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Valbuena, Cabaye, Ribery; Giroud

Spain: Jordi Alba is sidelined after picking up a thigh injury against Finland, with Nacho Monreal set to replace him. David Silva misses out through suspension but fellow playmaker Xavi has returned from a hamstring problem and is expected to start.

del Bosque is expected to make a few other changes to the squad that drew 1-1 with Finland. Xabi Alonso and Pedro could some into the side at the expense of Santi Cazorla and David Villa.

Probable Line-up (4-3-3): Valdes; Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Monreal; Busquets, Alonso, Xavi; Pedro, Fabregas, Iniesta