Spain to rely on Chelsea trinity to assure Euro 2016 hopes (Preview)

Spain football team head coach Vicente del Bosque is likely to use the Chelsea collection when his side plays Slovakia during the key qualifying game for the 2016 European Championship here on Saturday night.

The Spanish entertain Slovakia knowing that a win would go a long way towards taking them to the top of their qualifying group, but that a defeat could leave them looking over their shoulder, reports Xinhua.

Slovakia are the only team who have beaten Spain in qualifying with a 2-1 win a year ago and have a 100 percent record in qualifying with 18 points from 6 games, whereas the Spanish have 15 points from the same number of games: three more than the Ukraine, who are third in the group.

Del Bosque had few surprises in the squad he named a week ago, although he did give a return to striker Diego Costa, who subsequently commented he was "in debt" with his adopted country.

The Brazilian born forward is likely to have a chance to repay that debt on Saturday as Del Bosque looks likely to pair him with former Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez, who is now Costa's clubmate after joining Chelsea in the summer.

Cesc Fabrigas in midfield is likely to finish the Chelsea trident in the Spain side.

With David de Gea not having played for Manchester United all summer, Iker Casillas will continue in goal, while the defence also has a familiar look with Jordi Alba, Juanfran Torres, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos all looking likely starters.

The rest of the side also has a familiar feel with Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and David Silva all likely to start.

Despite losing to Slovakia a year ago the 2010 FIFA World Cup winners will be the favourites, but goals have been a problem for Spain in recent matches and del Bosque will hope that the Pedro-Costa combination, which has already been effective in England, continues to work in Spain.