Preview: Georgia vs. Spain - prediction, team news, lineups

Spain will be looking to move onto four points in Group B when they continue their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign away to Georgia on Sunday evening.

La Roja were held to a 1-1 draw by Greece in their group opener on Thursday, while Georgia opened their campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Sweden.

Match preview

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Georgia have never qualified for the finals of a World Cup or European Championships, and it is difficult to imagine them making a serious impression in Group B due to the strength of the section.

Willy Sagnol's side gave a good account of themselves away to Sweden on Thursday, but a first-half goal from Viktor Claesson saw the home side open their campaign with a win.

Georgia now face two tough matches against Spain and Greece before the end of the month, and they are currently on a six-game winless run in all competitions.

The national team have actually only won one match in their last three World Cup qualification campaigns, which is an indication of the size of their task in Group B, and Spain have won the only two competitive meetings between the two sides, which came in 2012 and 2013.

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Spain, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Greece on Thursday; Alvaro Morata sent Luis Enrique's side ahead in the 33rd minute, but the visitors levelled through Anastasios Bakasetas early in the second period.

There is no getting away from the fact that it was a disappointing start to Group B for La Roja, who have now drawn three of their last four matches in all competitions and won just one of their last five.

Spain will be present at this summer's European Championships - a competition they have won in two of the last three editions - and Enrique's team will be expected to make a strong challenge for the crown once again.

La Roja have also been at every World Cup since 1974, winning the competition in 2010, but they were eliminated in the group stages in 2014 before only reaching the round of 16 in 2018.

There have been a lot of changes in the Spain squad over the last few years, with a number of exciting youngsters in the fold, and they are the overwhelming favourites to finish at the top of the section.

Team News

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Georgia did not pick up any injury problems during their clash with Sweden on Thursday, meaning that Sagnol will have the same squad to choose from for this match.

There are not expected to be any changes to the starting XI against Spain, with Giorgi Kvilitaia, who has scored five times in 26 appearances for his national side, likely to lead the line once again.

Jaba Kankava is the captain and leading goalscorer in the squad with 10 goals, and the 35-year-old should again line up as part of a two-man midfield alongside Giorgi Aburjania.

As for Spain, Sergio Ramos only played 45 minutes against Greece, but Enrique revealed that it was agreed before the match that the Real Madrid centre-back would only feature in the first half.

Ramos should therefore retain his spot in the side for this match, while Marcos Llorente could again get the nod at right-back, with Dani Carvajal and Sergi Roberto both absent through injury.

Morata's goal against Greece should see the 28-year-old retain his spot in attack, while Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres could again feature in the wide areas, leaving Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedri on the bench.

Jordi Alba is pushing for a spot at left-back and could be given the nod over Jose Gaya, but the likes of Sergio Busquets and David de Gea should remain on the bench.

Georgia possible starting lineup:
Loria; Chabradze, Kashia, Dvali, Giorbelidze; Kankava, Aburjania; Lobzhanidze, Kvekveskiri, Kvaratskhelia; Kvilitaia

Spain possible starting lineup:
Simon; Llorente, Garcia, Ramos, Alba; Torres, Koke, Rodri, Canales, Olmo; Morata

We say: Georgia 0-2 Spain

Spain were frustrated by Greece on Thursday, which could work against Georgia heading into this match. Enrique will be demanding a response from his players, and we are expecting the visitors to collect all three points in relatively routine fashion here.