Match Previews

Were brought down to earth with heavy defeat in their last group match. Aleksandr Kokorin, Giorgi Jikia and Viktor Vasin would be in the squad but for injury. Igor Smolnikov is banned for a match. Alan Dzagoev back in training and should be available.

Russia suffered their first defeat in the competition in the final group match against Uruguay with Stanislav Cherchesov's side losing 0 - 3.

The result meant that the tournament hosts ended in second in the group and now face a very tough match against 2010 World Cup champions Spain. Russia will have to ride the wave of support they will receive in the nation's capital and hope Spain have a bad day.

While the squad is very strong, the trio of Aleksandr Kokorin, Giorgi Jikia and Viktor Vasin would have made the squad had they been fit. But the three of them miss out with serious knee injuries.

Creative midfielder Alan Dzagoev went off injured in the first half of Russia's first match of the tournament and has missed the two games since then. But the talisman is back in training and very much in with a chance of getting on the pitch, which could be a crucial piece of team news ahead of such a difficult challenge.

Much like Dzagoev, Fedor Smolov has not featured as much as prior to the World Cup with Artem Dzyuba establishing himself due to his aerial prowess. However with Russia likely to require a more counter attacking threat here, Smolov does have a chance to start.

Cherchesov made a number of changes for the match against Uruguay last week including both full backs. Stand in right back Igor Smolnikov was sent off and misses this match. That will mean first choice option Mario Fernandes will start again as will Yuri Zhirkov on the left flank.

Russia and Spain have met each other in 5 previous matches. Three of those were at previous European Championships which Spain all won. In friendlies the two teams have drawn twice including a 3 - 3 draw in November of last year.