England have scored 17 goals in their last four Nations League matches, beaten Croatia 7-0 in Zagreb and secured a place in the quarter-finals. Yet Thomas Tuchel’s side still arrive in Madrid on Sunday as outsiders to win their group.

That’s what happens when the opposition are Spain.

Luis de la Fuente’s world champions have won all five of their Nations League fixtures, including a 3-2 victory at Wembley in September. They’ve been ruthless when it matters, and another victory would complete a perfect group campaign.

England, though, have developed a habit of making the difficult look remarkably straightforward.

Thursday’s 2-1 victory over Croatia was their fourth consecutive Nations League win. Harry Kane scored again, Morgan Rogers continued his impressive international form, and the Three Lions maintained their momentum heading into the biggest test of the autumn.

Spain haven’t exactly been struggling themselves.

Their 2-0 victory over Czechia extended an extraordinary unbeaten run in competitive football. De la Fuente has built a side that can dominate possession, punish opponents in transition and find solutions even when several established players are unavailable.

Rodri and Dani Olmo are missing through injury, while Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal are expected to return after sitting out Thursday’s victory.

England will need to be considerably sharper than they were during September’s meeting at Wembley. Spain scored three times that afternoon, exposing weaknesses that Tuchel has spent the following weeks attempting to address.

The stakes are clear. Both countries have qualified for the quarter-finals, but Spain lead Group A3 by three points. England need to win in Madrid to have any chance of finishing first, with the head-to-head record potentially deciding the final standings.

It’s an intriguing situation for Tuchel. England cannot simply sit back and protect a result. They have to attack the reigning world champions on their own ground.

That should make Sunday’s encounter one of the most entertaining fixtures of the international break.

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What are the best betting tips for Spain vs England?

Both teams to score and over 3.5 total goals

The previous meeting between these sides finished 3-2, and there are reasons to expect another high-scoring encounter.

England have scored 17 goals across their last four Nations League matches. Seven came against Croatia in Zagreb, but Tuchel’s side have also demonstrated an ability to create opportunities against organised opponents.

Spain’s attacking record is equally impressive. They’ve scored 13 goals in five group matches, averaging 2.6 per game, and possess several players capable of changing a match in an instant.

Lamine Yamal’s expected return is particularly significant. His ability to isolate defenders and create opportunities from the right could cause England serious problems.

However, Spain have conceded in four of their five Nations League matches. England scored twice against them at Wembley and should have opportunities to do so again.

The requirement for at least four goals makes this a more ambitious selection than the conventional both-teams-to-score market. Nevertheless, the attacking quality on both sides makes it worth considering.

Harry Kane to score anytime

At this point, backing Kane to score for England is becoming almost embarrassingly predictable.

The Bayern Munich striker has scored in five consecutive internationals and now has 92 goals for his country. His penalty against Croatia on Thursday continued an outstanding run of form.

However, this selection isn’t simply about Kane’s goalscoring record.

Spain’s possession-heavy approach should create opportunities for England to attack quickly when they regain the ball. Kane’s ability to drop into midfield, link play and arrive in the penalty area makes him particularly difficult to mark.

Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers can provide support between the lines, while England’s wide players should look to exploit the spaces behind Spain’s full-backs.

Kane also remains England’s first-choice penalty taker, providing another potential route to a goal.

Spain’s defence will be stronger than most England have faced recently, but Kane’s consistency makes him an attractive selection in a fixture where the visitors cannot afford to be overly cautious.

England to win and both teams to score

Spain deserve to be favourites. They’re world champions, unbeaten in competitive football for an extraordinary period and playing at home.

But England’s recent performances suggest this could be a considerably closer contest than the group standings indicate.

Tuchel’s side have won four consecutive Nations League matches, scoring freely and showing an increasingly effective balance between possession and direct attacking play.

Spain are missing Rodri, whose absence could prove important against England’s powerful midfield. The hosts also conceded twice at Wembley, demonstrating that their defensive structure can be disrupted.

England must win to challenge for first place, so there is little incentive to settle for another respectable performance against elite opposition.

Backing an away victory alongside both teams scoring is deliberately aggressive. It requires England to achieve something nobody else has managed against Spain in this campaign.

However, with Kane in excellent form and Bellingham capable of influencing the biggest matches, the Three Lions have enough attacking quality to make it a genuine possibility.

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How to watch Spain vs England

• Date: Sunday, 15 November 2026

• Kick-off: 7:45pm GMT (8:45pm local time)

• Competition: UEFA Nations League, League A Group 3

• Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid

• UK TV: ITV1

• UK streaming: ITVX

• USA: FOX Sports coverage; check the specific channel

• Canada: Broadcaster not independently confirmed

Spain predicted lineup and team news

Predicted formation: 4-3-3

Predicted XI: Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsí, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Martín Zubimendi, Pedri, Mikel Merino; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.

Luis de la Fuente is expected to welcome back Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal after both missed Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Czechia. Yamal has been recovering from a knee problem, while Oyarzabal was absent for the birth of his second child. Their participation in training will determine whether they start.

Rodri, Dani Olmo and Eric García are unavailable through injury, leaving Spain without several established options. Martín Zubimendi could anchor midfield, with Pedri and Mikel Merino providing creativity and movement further forward.

Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte are potential central defensive partners, while Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella could occupy the full-back positions.

Ferran Torres, Fermín López and Álex Baena offer alternatives in attack. De la Fuente may make several changes following Thursday’s fixture, particularly with Spain already qualified for the quarter-finals.

England predicted lineup and team news

Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Branthwaite, Hall; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Thomas Tuchel has several defensive decisions to make following Marc Guéhi’s withdrawal through injury. Dan Burn was called up as his replacement, while James Hill subsequently joined the squad.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah could form the central defensive partnership, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Lewis Hall operating at full-back. Ezri Konsa and Ben White provide alternatives.

Declan Rice returns to the squad after missing the previous international camp, and Elliot Anderson should compete for a midfield starting position. Jude Bellingham is expected to operate behind Harry Kane.

Morgan Rogers scored against Croatia on Thursday and has strengthened his case for another start. Anthony Gordon could provide pace from the left, while Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White offer different attacking options.

Cole Palmer is not included in the squad, meaning Tuchel must again select his attacking midfielders without the Chelsea playmaker.

Spain vs England stats

• Spain lead Nations League Group A3 with 15 points from five matches.

• England are second with 12 points, having won four of their five fixtures.

• Both countries have already qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals.

• Spain have won all five group matches.

• De la Fuente’s side have scored 13 goals in five Nations League fixtures.

• Spain have conceded in four of their five group matches.

• Spain defeated Czechia 2-0 on Thursday.

• England have won four consecutive Nations League matches.

• Tuchel’s side have scored 17 goals across those four victories.

• England thrashed Croatia 7-0 away from home in October.

• England defeated Croatia 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday.

• Harry Kane has scored in five consecutive England internationals.

• Kane has reached 92 senior international goals.

• Spain defeated England 3-2 at Wembley in September.

• Spain have won seven of their last ten meetings with England, drawing one and losing two.

• England’s last away victory against Spain came in October 2018, when they won 3-2.

• Spain will finish top of Group A3 if they win or draw on Sunday.

• England must win to have any chance of overtaking Spain, with head-to-head tiebreakers determining whether a narrow victory is sufficient.

Spain vs England prediction

There aren’t many teams in international football capable of matching Spain’s technical quality, but England have enough attacking talent to make Sunday’s encounter extremely competitive.

Tuchel’s side have been impressive since losing the reverse fixture at Wembley. Four consecutive Nations League victories have restored confidence, while Kane’s extraordinary scoring run gives England a reliable threat in the final third.

However, Spain remain a formidable opponent.

Their ability to control possession and create opportunities through midfield makes them particularly dangerous at home. The expected return of Yamal could also create serious problems for England’s left side.

Rodri’s absence offers some encouragement for the visitors. Rice and Anderson should be capable of competing physically in midfield, while Bellingham’s movement could exploit the spaces Spain leave between their defensive lines.

England cannot afford to approach this as a match they simply need to survive.

With first place still available, Tuchel must find a balance between defensive discipline and the attacking ambition required to win in Madrid.

That could produce another open contest.

England have the quality to score, particularly through Kane, but Spain’s greater control of possession and attacking options may ultimately prove decisive.

The hosts have already beaten England once this season, and another narrow victory looks the most likely outcome.

Score prediction: Spain 3-2 England

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