Spain's Expected World Cup XI

The FIFA World Cup is just a couple of weeks away and the final 23-man list of every nation has been registered by their respective associations. Here, we predict Spain's starting XI this summer in Russia.

Coach Julen Lopetegui prefers a 4-3-3 with a holding midfielder at the base and loves to play the traditional passing game. The unique thing about the Spaniard's 4-3-3 is that his wide men are midfielders with a vision for defence splitting through balls instead of wide forwards or wingers with staggering pace.While his fullbacks overlap on the outside, the wide men fall between the lanes and empty spaces to link the attack and midfield more efficiently. Both his center backs are ball playing center backs and are not afraid to run with the ball when required by the team.

Our take will be based on the style preferred by the coach. Let's take a look at the 23-man list and then shortlist the most probable starting XI.

Goalkeepers

David De Gea(Manchester United), Pepe Reina( Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga( Athletic Bilbao)

Defenders

Dani Carvajal(Real Madrid), Alvaro Odriozola(Real Sociedad), Gerard Pique(FC Barcelona), Sergio Ramos(Real Madrid), Nacho( Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta(Chelsea), Jordi Alba(FC Barcelona), Nacho Monreal(Arsenal)

Midfielders

Sergio Busquets(FC Barcelona), Saul Niguez(Atletico Madrid), Koke(Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara( FC Bayern Munich), Andres Iniesta(FC Barcelona), David Silva(Manchester City), Isco(Real Madrid), Marco Asensio(Real Madrid)

Forwards

Lucas Vazquez(Real Madrid), Iago Aspas(Celta Vigo), Diego Costa(Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Moreno(Valencia)

Goalkeepers

David De Gea is set to start in goal for Spain this summer.

The easiest of all choices for Lopetegui is the goalkeeper. If all goes well and there are no injuries, the first name on the team sheet will be David De Gea. The Manchester United goalkeeper has been outstanding this season, keeping 15 clean sheets in the Premier League, subsequently winning his first Golden Glove in England. Despite his mistake which led to a goal in the friendly against Switzerland, he will start ahead of between the sticks for Spain in their opener against Portugal.

Pepe Reina has been signed by AC Milan from Napoli, per Goal. This move comes after he kept 17 clean sheets in 33 Serie A games this season and helped his team claim the second spot in the league table with 91 points. The 35-year old former Liverpool shot stopper is an excellent back-up goalkeeper and has the experience required to fill in for De Gea.

Considering Reina's age and the fact that the coach likes to go with young talent, it will be fair to say that he is going to Russia just for the sake of it. De Gea's back up will be Kepa Arizzabalaga. The 23-year old is playing in his second season in the Spanish top tier and managed kept 6 clean sheets in 26 appearances for Athletic Bilbao, which is impressive considering the defence that he has infront of him. Before signing a new contract with Athletic, Kepa was linked to Los Blancos. If De Gea is not fit enough to start or they face the likes of Tunisia (no disrespect), Kepa is likely to start ahead of Pepe Reina.

Defenders

The Spanish coach likes to go with a back four in almost every situation, be it ultra attacking or ultra defensive. The Spanish squad is full of unique talent. Azpilicueta and Nacho can fill in for the centre backs as well as full backs while, Nacho Monreal can play as a left back and as a center back if and when required by the team. While they are capable of playing well in all the defensive positions, they will only be used as substitutes in the team.

We'll start with the right side of the defence. Odriozola and Dani Carvajal are the two options for the right back position. The fight for the starting right back will be tough given how good Odriozola has been this season for Real Sociedad. He assisted 4 goals this season in the league and scored 1 in the Europa League, making himself a strong contender for the starting place.

Due to his experience and brilliant performances for the past few years, it will be Dani Carvajal who will start at the right back position, given he is fit and ready after exiting the Champions League final early, and will be tasked with keeping his club teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at bay when Spain face Portugal in their World Cup opener. His form dipped during the season but was pretty solid while defending and brave while attacking towards the end of the season, solidifying his position in the Spanish National team as the first-choice right back. He assisted 3 goals in 8 games in the Champions League and is one of the best full backs in the world. He has been the first choice right back for Madrid since his loan move from Bayern Leverkusen came to an end. Even the highly rated Danilo could not dethrone him from his starting place and was shipped to England after just two seasons with the Whites

Ramos and Pique will keep their club rivalry aside when the partner at the

Onto the left side now. Jordi Alba will start at the left back position for Spain while Nacho Monreal will be his deputy. Alba has been in great form throughout this season, helping Barcelona win the Spanish League title this season. While his understudy, Lucas Digne was signed by Barcelona to curb down the pressure and responsibility on Alba but he seems to enjoy the responsibility and has performed better since the departure of Neymar. He was not only magnificent while defending, he also made huge contributions while attacking, assisting 8 goals in 30 league games, 4 short of most assists this season. His partnership with Leo Messi produced some great moments this campaign and the Spanish National Team will hope that he continues to perform the same way for them in Russia.

The coach has gone with experience at the heart of the defence. His two centre backs are great defenders, leaders and have been in the game for long enough to master it. Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique troll each other on social media but they form the best central defence duo, by a long margin, of all the available National Team rosters. They play for two of the best clubs in the world and are more experienced than most in the squad. While Pique was defensively strong in the league winning campaign, conceding just 24 goals all season, Ramos helped his team win the Champions League with several outstanding performances. Their numbers speak for themselves and they will start for La Roja this summer at the World Cup.

Midfielders

Iniesta's teammates will be determined to make his last World Cup a success.

The toughest decision for the Spanish head coach will be the selection of his midfield. The Spanish midfield is full of talent and experience. For most of the friendlies, as well as the World Cup Qualifiers, Lopetegui opted to go with the midfield comprising of Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Thiago Alcantara. Isco, along with David Silva on the opposite side, was used in the front three and drifting inside, between the lanes, in a free role. While there may be doubts about others, it is safe to say that Sergio Busquets will start at the base of the midfield three due to his experience and talent of being the perfect defensive midfielder. He is vital for Barcelona and Spain because his defensive prowess, but most importantly he knows when and how to launch an attack and take out the opposing defence, all at once. Suarez's goal at the Bernabeu this season is the perfect example of that.It will be interesting to see whether the coach changes his preferred formation, for Isco, to 4-4-2 diamond or he let's him play on the outside. He will be influential wherever he plays and will be important for the team. Given the experience and tactical superiority, it is safe to say that Busquets and Iniesta will start in the mid-3, regardless their age, along with Thiago. Isco and Silva will utilize the empty spaces in the final third of the park and feed their center-forward or chip in with some goals of their own.

While Asensio is the perfect replacement for Isco, Koke and Saul can replace anyone in the midfield. They can play like wingers in the front 3, or at the base like Busquets and can also run the play like Iniesta and Thiago. It will be a learnng experience for these youngsters this time around.

Forwards

The number of forwards registered by Spain are 4. Out of the 4, Lucas Vazquez is an out and out winger. Although he prefers the right side, he can play at both wings and will come in handy given his pace and cleverness. So counting him as a substitute would be a safe bet as his pace and energy would be vital when the field is full of tired legs.

Diego Costa lifted the Europa League with Atleti after a January transfer from Chelsea

Out of the remaining 3, Iago Aspas and Rodrigo Moreno can also pray as wingers but their primary and preferred position is striker. Both the Spaniards had a good season to show for, with Rodrigo scoring 16 and assisting 7 in his 37 league games for Valencia and Aspas netting 22 goals and assisting 5 for Celta in their league campaign.

While both of them offer the speed and slick passing that can combine well with the midfield, Diego Costa is the definition of everything they do not offer. The aggressive Atletico Mardid striker uses his physicality and strength to bundle anyone that comes between him and the goal. He is one of the best strikers in the game at present, his league winning campaign with Chelsea was one of the best seasons for the striker and he has made a great comeback with Atletico MadridWhile he might not have the stats with him this season, due to injuries and the Chelsea transfer saga, his unique qualities might see him make the pitch as a starter for the 2010 World Cup winners.