Players missing, but Spain favorites against Macedonia

Spain entertain Macedonia in a World Cup qualifying match in Granada on Saturday night.

The Spanish go into the game as leaders of qualifying group G after a draw in Italy and a win in Albania in the last round of matches, but knowing they can't afford to slip up in a tight group.

Macedonia meanwhile look to be already out of the running with three defeats from their opening games and a further setback in Granada would almost certainly mean a premature end to any slim hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018.

Spain have injury problems with Diego Costa the latest to withdraw from a squad already missing the creative talents of Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, while Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba are also sidelined through injury.

Those absences mean Spain coach Julen Lopetegui will have to shuffle his defense and indications are that he could play Cesar Azpilicueta, Marc Bartra and Nacho Fernandez as a three-man back line and employ Vitolo and Dani Carvajal as wing-backs.

Meanwhile Costa's withdrawal from the squad saw Lopetegui call up Celta Vigo forward, Iago Aspes for his first appearance for his country.

Both Aspes and veteran Athletic Club Bilbao striker, Aritz Aduriz will probably have to wait on the bench with Alvaro Morata getting the nod from the start, although should Aduriz score on Saturday or in next Tuesday's friendly away to England, he would have the honor of being the oldest Spaniard to score a goal for his country.

With main group rivals Italy likely to take an easy win in Liechtenstein, Spain need three points to remain top of the group. But despite the absences, they are clear favorites to win. Endit