Chelsea Football Update: International football: what to look out for this weekend

Martin O’Neill needs to find the right balance in midfield, Kieran Gibbs should start for England and Gareth Bale can shake off his clásico disappointment

Group C looked likely to be a doddle for Spain and Uefa’s decision to bloat the tournament means that, despite their early setback in Slovakia, it may still be. It would take a disaster for the Slovakians against Luxembourg to wrest them from top spot on Friday but Vicente Del Bosque’s reshaped side would take a firm grip on second place with three points against Ukraine. The visitors, most of whose squad play in a domestic league that has been compromised by the conflict in the country’s south-east, have seen off Belarus, Macedonia and Luxembourg unfussily enough and have genuine star quality in the form of their two wingers. Yevhen Konoplyanka’s gifts are sufficiently known by now and the popular focus on Andriy Yarmolenko has intensified since his marvellous goal for Dynamo Kyiv against Everton last week. You would need the best part of £40m to take these two, probably the most explosive wide pair in Europe, to one of the continent’s top leagues and scouts will be interested to see how they make the most of what possession Ukraine are allowed in Seville. Yarmolenko scored a hat-trick against Luxembourg and has been in superb form in front of goal over the past year. In the absence of Diego Costa, Spain have nobody as prolific and may have to rely on their midfielders – Isco and David Silva were in good form late last year – to break the stubborn Ukrainians down. NA

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• Stankevicius insists Lithuania ‘will not park the bus’ against England

• Hart shelves Messi heroics as Lithuania’s unknown quantities await

• Dyke tries to dampen speculation on Hodgson’s England future

• Van Persie left out of Holland squad for upcoming fixtures

• From Danilo to Lacazette: youngsters to watch this international week

• Allen positive Wales can further European dream with result in Israel

• Wales rally to Bale’s cause as they prepare for Israel game

• Match report: Germany 2-2 Australia

• Jedinak wants more from Socceroos despite holding Germany

• Özil: ‘I’m convinced I can win the Ballon D’Or’

• Republic of Ireland’s McClean an injury worry for Euro 2016 qualifier

• Brazil come from behind to end France’s unbeaten run in Paris friendly

• From Danilo to Lacazette: youngsters to watch this international week

• Sacchi and Italian football’s ethical dilemma about foreign players

• Match report: Scotland 1-0 Northern Ireland

• Gibraltar sack Bula weeks prior to Scotland game