Spain are hoping to clinch the top spot in Nations League Group 3 this week. They take on Czechia at the Stadion Letná in Prague on Thursday evening.

Injuries Continue to Hamper Czechia as Relegation Looms

Czechia will be relegated to League B on matchday five should Croatia better their result. Their bid for a first point in this campaign continues to be hit by injuries, with Pavel Šulc, Robin Hranáč, Ondřej Lingr, Ondřej Kričfaluši, Adam Karabec and Matěj Ryneš all sidelined.

The one big boost for Santi Denia is that Tomáš Souček is available again. The midfielder has netted 17 times across 93 international appearances. The West Ham man will be hoping to disrupt Pedri’s influence in midfield.

Adam Hložek and Vladimír Coufal are additional fitness doubts for the hosts, who may go with Ryan Naderi up top. The 23-year-old has scored six times and registered three assists in 11 Scottish Premiership appearances for Rangers this term.

Czechia predicted lineup vs Spain (4-2-3-1): Horníček; Coufal, Zima, Krejčí, Jurásek; Souček, Král; Ambros, Hložek, Provod; Naderi.

Spain Hoping Barça Stars Can Shine Again

Four of the five Barcelona players in this Spain squad are likely to start. That includes Fermín López, who is fresh from a brace in his club’s 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid.

Lamine Yamal will take his place on the right flank. The 19-year-old has scored four times in four appearances in the 2026/27 Nations League. Meanwhile, Martín Zubimendi should return in midfield in place of the injured Rodri. Otherwise, Luis de la Fuente will stick with the spine of the side that won the World Cup this summer.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted five times in eight appearances in North America, is set to lead the line. Dani Olmo is the only other major absentee, although the inexperienced Ander Barrenetxea has pulled out of the squad.

Spain predicted lineup vs Czechia (4-2-3-1): Simón; Pubill, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Baena; Oyarzabal.

Czechia vs Spain Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Spain -1.5 Handicap
  • Odds: 1.471 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Czechia 1-3 Spain
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 61D5J

Key stats:

  • Czechia have lost three of their four Nations League matches by two goals or more.
  • Including extra time, Spain are on an 11-game winning streak in international football.
  • La Roja have won five of the previous six meetings between these sides.

Spain proved in the summer that they are the best team in world football. They’ve built on that momentum with victories in each of their four Nations League encounters. De la Fuente’s side are averaging three goals per 90 minutes in this competition.

The main risk when backing the away team is a cagey, defensive display from Czechia resulting in a tight contest. However, confidence in the home camp will be low, following defeats in six of their past seven fixtures. Backing the visitors with a -1.5 handicap is a safe approach at 1.471.

Czechia vs Spain Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: First half - Over 1.5 goals
  • Odds: 2.125 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 47F5J

Spain try to play with intensity from the first whistle. They’ve scored in the opening 10 minutes in three of their last four fixtures.

Czechia were 2-0 down at the interval when these teams met last month. There were also two first-half goals in their last outing against England. Backing over 1.5 goals before the break offers value at 2.125.

Verdict: Spain -1.5 Handicap (1.471) — Czechia 1-3 Spain.