SCOTLAND WILL take confidence tonight from the likelihood of Vicente del Bosque resting some of the Spain players who swaggered to a 2-0 win in Prague on Friday. Evidence, or otherwise, of how seriously the world and European champions are treating what for them is a meaningless qualifier will become available when their starting XI is made public. Scotland’s motivation is without question; victory in Alicante would guarantee them a Euro 2012 play-off place, as would matching the Czech Republic’s result in Lithuania.
The counterpoint to that, of course, lies in the hunger of those who will face Scotland. If Spain are the toughest team in world football to get into, nobody will want to give up their place lightly. Fringe players such as Thiago Alcantara, Jordi Alba and Javi Martinez could make the starting line-up. High-profile absentees may include Iker Casillas and David Villa.
“We still have some doubts about who to take to the competition,” said Del Bosque, highlighting the opportunities he will offer his less-established squad members before the finals next summer. The Spain manager offered his latest public backing of Fernando Torres, though, by claiming the much-scrutinised Chelsea striker has “a history and a presence”.
“There’s two ways of looking at it,” said the Scotland captain, Darren Fletcher. “If they make five or six changes, hopefully it works in our favour because they have disrupted their usual pattern, new players come in and it doesn’t quite gel. The other way is, you are talking about world-class players who are desperate to impress.”
Craig Levein’s preparations have been disrupted by injuries. Although Fletcher and Craig Mackail-Smith are likely to shake off knocks, the duo have been unable to train and will face late fitness tests. There is also concern over Barry Bannan, who has a severe cut on his right heel.
SPAIN (possible): Valdes; Arbeloa, Puyol, Martinez, Alba; Busquets; Pedro, Silva, Xavi, Mata; Torres.
SCOTLAND (possible): McGregor; Hutton, Caldwell, Berra, Bardsley; Fletcher; Bannan, Adam, Morrison, Naismith; Mackail-Smith.
