Czechia vs Spain in Prague on Thursday 12 November looks like a routine win for the world champions, and Luis de la Fuente knows it. Spain are already through to the Nations League quarter-finals, Czechia have lost all four group games, and the match that matters is Sunday’s game against England in Madrid. Spain will be without Lamine Yamal here, and a 2-0 win is the call.

Kick-off at the Epet Arena is 7.45pm UK time. Spain lead Group A3 on 12 points, three clear of England, and beat Czechia 3-1 in October. England play Croatia on the same night: England vs Croatia: Predicted Lineup, Team News and TV Channel (12 November).

Czechia vs Spain predicted lineup

Our predicted XI for both sides, in the 4-2-3-1 shape Sports Mole and Goal both expect. Not a team sheet; those arrive about an hour before kick-off.

Spain (4-2-3-1)

Czechia (4-2-3-1)

Without Yamal, who hurt his knee playing for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid on Sunday, the width falls to Nico Williams and Alex Baena, with Ferran Torres leading the line and Fermín López in the middle of the three. The detail worth watching: Baena and Fermín are each one booking from missing the England game. Both should start, and De la Fuente will be hoping they play it cool.

Rodri is out as well, so Pedri and Fabián Ruiz are the pair in midfield. At the back Tottenham’s Pedro Porro is expected to start after missing the last international window through injury. Arsenal’s Mikel Merino is the one to look at from the bench: he has three goals in his last two Spain games, including a match-winning brace off the bench against Croatia. More on the Spurs players away this week: Spurs Players on International Duty: Kulusevski Recalled (11 November).

Team news and absences

Ladislav Krejčí is back for Czechia after a ban. Tomáš Souček is in line for his 94th cap and Adam Hložek, who has five goals in 50 caps, leads the line for a team that has lost six of its last seven games in all competitions. Eighteen-year-old Idris Hopi could make his senior debut.

How to watch Czechia vs Spain

In the UK the match should be on Prime Video, which UEFA lists for Nations League games that don’t involve the home nations. Kick-off is 7.45pm UK time.

Head-to-head and prediction

Spain have never lost to Czechia, winning six of eight meetings and drawing two. They have won their last 11 games in all competitions and haven’t lost in normal time since March 2024.

Prediction: Czechia 0-2 Spain. Pedri and Torres should be enough, and De la Fuente will take the early finish.