MX23RW : Friday, November 15 14:46:09| >> :600:109280:109280:

Preview: Quarter-final - Spain vs. France

Preview: Quarter-final - Spain vs. France
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews holders Spain's Euro 2012 quarter-final with France in Donetsk on Saturday.

It's a clash of the European heavyweights on Saturday night as holders Spain take on France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

The Spaniards finished top of Group C to reach the last eight, while a defeat against Sweden in their final group game condemned France to second place in Group D.

Amazingly, La Roja have never beaten France in a major tournament, but they will certainly be looking to put that right in Donetsk this weekend.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque recently revealed that he was unsure whether to start with Cesc Fabregas or Fernando Torres in attack, but elsewhere he is likely to stick with the same side that saw them pick up seven points in the group stages.

Meanwhile, Laurent Blanc is without Philippe Mexes after the defender picked up a second yellow against the Swedes so Laurent Koscielny is expected to deputise.

Samir Nasri and Franck Ribery have both been reported as possible injury doubts, but should be fit in time for the match at the Donbass Arena.

Current form:

Spain: WWWDWW
France: WWWDWL

Possible lineups:

Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Alonso; Iniesta, Xavi, Silva; Torres

France: Lloris; Debuchy, Koscielny, Rami, Clichy; Cabaye, M'Vila; Menez, Nasri, Ribery; Benzema

Sports Mole says: 2-1

ID:31850: cacheID:31850:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2287:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Cesc Fabregas
Read Next:
Del Bosque hints at Fabregas inclusion
>
Read more about Spain France Euro 2012 Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!