The newly crowned European champions head to Belgrade, where they are set to begin their UEFA Nations League title defense against Serbia. Spain will be looking to start their Nations League campaign on a high note, while Serbia, who have recently been promoted to the top tier, will be hoping to cause an upset.
Spain are on a roll after winning the Euro 2024 championship and securing the gold medal at the Olympics. The Spanish team will be hoping to continue their winning ways against Serbia, who are without key striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic due to injuries. However, Serbia will be looking to surprise Spain, who are also missing top-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon, with Arsenal's new signing David Raya likely to start in goal.
Spain, with their recent success and strong squad, are the favorites to win this match. But Serbia, with their home advantage and a determination to prove themselves in the top tier, will be no easy opponents.
Where to Watch Spain vs Serbia
To catch all the action of this match, here are the live streaming options in various regions.
USA:
Thursday's big match at the Rajko Mitić Stadium will be available to stream on Fox Sports 2, which has live broadcast rights in the US for UEFA Nations League fixtures this season. Among the live TV streaming services that carry local Fox Sports 1, the cheapest is Sling TV Blue at $40 per month. Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local Fox stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and FuboTV. They all cost more than Sling TV, but they also carry more channels. Check out our live TV streaming channel guide for details.
UK:
UEFA Nations League rights in the UK had previously been with Viaplay, but the network pulled out of the region earlier this year. While some fixtures for this week's round of matches are being shown on other broadcasters in the UK, this match isn't one of them. That also means that if you're in the UK traveling for pleasure or for work, you're unlikely to be able to watch the game like you normally would at home, thanks to geo-blocking.
There's one option to get around this, however. By using a VPN, as explained above, you can set your location to a country where the match is being broadcast and go from there.
Canada:
If you want to stream this game live in Canada, you'll need to subscribe to DAZN Canada. The service has exclusive broadcast rights to every remaining UEFA Nations League game this season. A DAZN subscription currently costs CA$25 a month or CA$200 a year and will also give you access to a wide range of soccer, plus Six Nations rugby and WTA tennis. As well as dedicated apps for iOS and Android, there's a wide range of support for set-top boxes and smart TVs.
Australia:
Football fans Down Under can watch this match on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single UEFA Nations League game live in Australia this season. With exclusive rights to screen Nations League matches live this season, as well as Premier League, Women's Super League and La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans. If you're already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price of AU$10 per month. If you're not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.
Spain vs Serbia: Key Players to Watch
Spain:
- Lamine Yamal: The 16-year-old winger, who became the youngest player to represent Spain in Euro 2024, is one to watch. His pace, dribbling skills and creativity have already caught the eye of many, making him a potential game-changer for Spain.
- Nico Williams: The younger brother of Athletic Bilbao's Inaki Williams, Nico is another exciting winger. He's known for his speed, power and direct running, which could cause problems for the Serbian defense.
- Dani Olmo: The versatile attacker, who plays for Barcelona, is another key player for Spain. His ability to create chances, score goals and contribute defensively makes him a valuable asset for Luis de la Fuente's team.
Serbia:
- Dusan Vlahovic: Although Mitrovic is out, Vlahovic is a clinical striker for Juventus. He'll be looking to lead the line for Serbia and potentially capitalize on any defensive lapses by the Spanish team.
- Filip Kostic: The experienced winger, who plays for Juventus, has the potential to create chances and provide dangerous crosses into the box. He could be a key player for Serbia in this match.
- Nemanja Maksimovic: The midfielder for Genoa, who can play both in defense and midfield, is another key player to keep an eye on. He's known for his composure and passing range, which could help Serbia control the midfield battle.
The Sporting News Prediction
Spain is the reigning champion of the UEFA Nations League and has shown impressive form in recent matches. They will likely be aiming to maintain their dominance, and their experience and individual quality could prove to be too much for Serbia. The Serbs will need to be at their best to pull off an upset.
Prediction: Serbia 0-2 Spain
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Spain vs Serbia: The Latest Team News
Spain:
- Out: Unai Simon (wrist injury), Alvaro Morata (thigh injury)
- Doubtful: None
- Predicted XI: David Raya; Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams; Alvaro Morata
Serbia:
- Out: Aleksandar Mitrovic (injury), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (injury)
- Doubtful: None
- Predicted XI: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic; Strahinja Pavlovic, Nikola Milenkovic, Stefan Mitrovic; Kosta Nedeljkovic, Nemanja Maksimovic, Sasa Lukic, Andrija Zivkovic; Lazar Samardzic, Dusan Vlahovic, Luka Jovic
Match Details
- Date: September 5, 2024
- Time: 7.45 p.m. BST (UK), 2.45 p.m. ET (USA)
- Venue: Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia
The Final Whistle: A Glimpse into the Future
This match between Spain and Serbia promises to be a fascinating encounter. It will be a test for both teams, and the result could have implications for their future in the Nations League. We will be sure to bring you all the highlights from the match, including the key moments, the best players, and any surprising developments. Stay tuned for what is sure to be a thrilling game.