Spain take on France today in the 3rd quarter-final of the euros. The Spanish are favorites to win the euros.France will be without Philippe Mexes, who is suspended after picking up his second yellow card against Sweden and will be replaced by Laurent Koscielny at the centre of defence. Ribery And nasri have shaken off injury worries and Cabaye is also expected to play.Fernando Torres is expected to start up front like in their last two matches against Ireland and Croatia with Fabregas coming in as an impact sub.

Spain player to watch: David Silva. Whether or not Del Bosque chooses to go with Fernando Torres, Silva will have a vital role to play in the Spanish side. He either plays as the orchestrator behind the striker or in the advanced role from the packed midfield. With a goal and three assists, Silva was the architect of success for the holders in the group stage.

France player to watch: Karim Benzema. As Croatia found out to their cost, you have to take your chances against Spain whenever they come along. In Benzema, France have a player who plays in Spain, for Real Madrid, and scored 21 La Liga goals last season. But Benzema has not managed to find his form in this tournament and has had 17 shots without scoring - the most of any player yet to hit the back of the net.

KEY BATTLES…
Fernando Torres v Laurent Koscielny
Despite scoring two in the tournament so far, Fernando Torres is still not showing his form of old. Two goals against Ireland proved he still has it, but no one ever knows which Torres will turn up. Laurent Koscielny has not yet featured in the tournament but looks like the likely replacement for the suspended Philippe Mexes. The Arsenal man will have to brush off any cobwebs in training to ensure he is at the top of his game for tonight’s clash, because even if Torres forgets his shooting boots, his movement is first rate and will exploit any gaps in the French defence.

Alou Diarra v David Silva
This is a critical match-up for the French if they are to stand any chance of preventing the Rojas from breaching their defence. David Silva has looked ominous in attack in this tournament and has the joint most assists alongside Steven Gerrard and Andrei Arshavin. Silva can play from wide or just behind the front man exploiting the space between the opposition’s defence and midfield, and at times in this tournament has been too hot for the defence to handle. As we have seen so far the Spaniard has the ability to provide that killer ball. Alou Diarra will need to keep tight on the nippy midfielder and prevent him from having too much possession in dangerous areas.

Karim Benzema v Sergio Ramos
The battle between these two Real Madrid team-mates will be crucial and they will be looking to exploit their inside knowledge of each other’s game. In their last Group C game Croatia created chances and showed that the Spanish defence could be unlocked and Karim Benzema, who was in deadly form last season, will surely not be as wasteful as Slaven Bilic’s men should a chance come his way. Spain will most likely have the majority of the possession so Sergio Ramos will have to concentrate and not switch off for a second otherwise his club-mate will punish him.

Franck Ribery v Alvaro Arbeloa
Alvaro Arbeloa has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism in the Spanish press recently with people calling for him to be replaced. The Real Madrid full-back however has huge experience and will need all of it to deal with France’s tricky winger. The Spaniard is also on a yellow card so will have to be extra careful when going in for tackles and that could play on his mind. Franck Ribery has the speed to round his opposite man and cross the ball in, as well as the skill and ability to cut inside and look for a pass or shot. This variation in his game makes him impossible to predict and means that Arbeloa could be in for a torrid time should he not be at the top of his game. The Frenchman has not dazzled at the tournament yet but tonight’s clash could be his time to shine.

Match

Allez les Bleus!

France is going home tonight

^
bros pack well o

mukina2: ^
bros pack well o

I just dey pity them

mukina2: Allez les Bleus!

allez le yellow

france segzzy anthem

and spain royal walk


italian ref . .no ojoro today o

game on

game on!!1

where is nosirulahi

The french are shaking

i cant believe france come out to play like chelsea

france stop wasting balls na

fredoooooo: where is nosirulahi

E dey there

fredoooooo: i cant believe france come out to play like chelsea

sharaaap

ramos nor comot benzema leg o

piue wetin be this , madam dey with u this 9ite

nice block m'vila

goood keep giving the ball to us silva .. please

fredoooooo: piue wetin be this , madam dey with u this 9ite

amebo mind ya bizness

cesc wan start diving

mukina2:
sharaaap

no be true ? ..is this how they played their last 3 games ?

Isn't that a penalty?

mukina2: cesc wan start diving

shattap is that not a penalty , useless italian , he is bribed already

kilimanjaro: Isn't that a penalty?

sure penalty

kilimanjaro:
E dey there

bench u mean

lloris warn urself o

mukina2:
amebo mind ya bizness

he no easy to dey with fine chicito now

fredoooooo:

shattap is that not a penalty , useless italian , he is bribed already

ta! park well
that was a 50/50 ball

refff mtn ooo

they wan bully my ribery

espania, espania, espania! Roast them