Spain host Italy in classic

> European giants Spain and Italy are chasing an automatic spot at the World Cup next year and face off in a vital showdown in Madrid this weekend; Germany close in on WC qualification

thrust farther forward by Lippi for today’s home clash with Uzbekistan because of the dearth o f choices u p front. China must win on Thursday and again next week in Qatar, and hope results elsewhere go their way, to grab a highly improbable third-place in Group A and with it a playoff spot. They are currently bottom with one win from eight matches. Wu is largely unknown in Europe, but he won lofty comparisons with Argentina legend Maradona from former China coach Xu Genbao when the player was just 13. Wu credits the Brazilian trio of Oscar, Hulk and Elkeson, as well as Shanghai’s former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Vi l l a s - Boas, with his spectacular club season. – AFP

SPAIN host Italy in a classic encounter in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers while reigning champions Germany could secure their place at the Russian finals next year.

The top two in Group G clash in Madrid on Saturday with Spain looking to maintain their goal difference advantage over Italy. Next Tuesday Spain then follow up in Liechtenstein while Italy host Israel. Joachim Low’s World Cup holders travel to Prague to meet the Czech Republic tomorrow and welcome Norway on Monday within touching distance of qualification from Group C. And England will hope to bounce back from dropped points last time in Group F as they head to Malta and play at home to Slovakia in another Friday-Monday combination.

Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura pulled no punches ahead of the trip to Spain.

With only the nine group winners qualifying automatically, they must chase the win.

“It’s obvious that we have to go to Madrid to take them on and play for one result which is victory,” Ventura said.

“I’m excited about the Spain match, I’d have liked for a draw to be a more useful result but the fact that only one result is good enough is an extra motivation.”

He has made only minimal changes to the squad from the last outing against Liechtenstein, which Italy won 5-0.

“I’ve started from where we left off with the call-ups, because with only one week gone in the season, there wasn’t enough time to make other judgements,” the coach said.

“I’ve called up the same players that I had in Udine in June for the match with Liechtenstein, the only difference is (reserve goalkeeper Mattia) Perin in place of (Simone) Scuffet. But there could be some changes in a few months.” The big talking point for the hosts is the return of recordscorer David Villa after a three year absence – few expected the 35-year-old New York City forward to represent his country again. Villa replaces Diego Costa, dropped from the squad because of his ongoing dispute with Chelsea.

“There is nothing more I enjoying doing than sweating the Spain shirt,” Villa said. “I am just here to help my team-mates.

“I thought there would be some controversy over my selection but the reaction has all been positive. I have been pleasantly surprised.” Albiceleste’

Coach Julien Lopetegui has had to tinker since making his original selection – Las Palmas winger Vitolo is injured so Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez replaced him.

Germany have won six games out of six so far to top their group by five points from Northern Ireland. Two more victories will ensure early progress to Russia if the Irish slip up in San Marino or, more plausibly, at home to the Czechs on Monday.

Captain Manuel Neuer is not part of the squad as he makes a gradual recovery from a broken foot.

“I would have liked to be there, but what is clear is that it’s better that I play a few games with Bayern before going back for international duty,” he told the German association homepage.

Low, though, has plenty of talent still at his disposal after a virtual B-team won the Confederations Cup and the under21s lifted the European title in Poland.

England manager Gareth Southgate could give debuts to Leicester defender Harry Maguire and Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah for what is likely to be a formality in Malta.

Daniel Sturridge is also in contention to start after scoring as a substitute for Liverpool in last weekend’s win over Arsenal.

It will also be England’s first match since record goalscorer Wayne Rooney retired from international football.

In Group A, France host the Netherlands in a crucial clash as they chase leaders Sweden, and in Group B Switzerland hope to maintain their perfect record at home to Andorra and away to Latvia.

There is a table-topping Group D clash on Tuesday when Ireland play Serbia while in Group E Poland can all but clinch qualification away to Denmark and at home to Kazakhstan.

Group H leaders Belgium take on Gibraltar then pursuing Greece and in tight Group I, Turkey go to Ukraine on Saturday and host Croatia Tuesday in what could be decisive clashes. – dpa top scorer in the qualifying competition with nine goals.

“It is a very, very difficult match... We will see who has the most guts for it,” said Tabarez.

Elsewhere today, secondplaced Colombia will aim to edge closer to qualification with an away victory over already-eliminated Venezuela.

Fourth-placed Chile meanwhile host Paraguay in Santiago as they aim to remain ahead of Argentina in the qualifying positions.

Brazil will have the luxury of being able to treat their game against Ecuador in Porto Alegre as a training exercise after securing qualification in their last outing, a 3-0 win over Paraguay in March – their eighth consecutive victory.

The game may see Brazil coach Tite select Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho, who has not played for the Premier League team this season amid a transfer saga involving Barcelona. – AFP