Spain Eyes 41st Game Unbeaten in Oviedo Against Winless Czechs

Forty games without a loss is no small feat. Spain arrives in Oviedo carrying that streak and looking to extend it against a Czech side that still hasn't picked up a single point in Nations League Group C.

The number speaks for itself: the world champions haven't tasted defeat in their last 40 matches, and now, heading into matchday 3, they face an opponent that's struggling both mentally and on the field. Luis de la Fuente has watched his team pile up goals on the road in its two previous outings, first a 2-3 win at Wembley against England, then a resounding 4-1 victory over Croatia in Seville. With that start, Spain sits alone atop the group.

The Czechs, meanwhile, are dealing with two setbacks that leave them with no room for error. They fell 1-2 to Croatia in their opener and then suffered a 0-2 loss on the road against England. Pointless and running out of options, the Czech squad needs a flawless performance at the Nuevo Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo if they hope to avoid falling completely out of contention in the group.

A Costly Absence for Spain

Not everything is good news for De la Fuente. Ferran Torres was left out of the squad due to a left ankle injury and won't be available, meaning Carlos Espi will step in for him. The Czechs aren't at full strength either and are also missing key players, which only adds to their difficulties against a team that's been scoring three and four goals a match.

For this fixture, Spain is expected to start David Raya in goal, with Fresneda, Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte and Fran Garcia across the back line, while Rodri, Pedri and Lamine Yamal anchor the midfield, backed by Dani Olmo, Alex Baena and Roberto up front. On the Czech side, Kinsky would start in goal, protected by Stepan Chaloupek, Sacek, Ladislav Krejci and Jiri Slama in defense, with Macek, Ambros, Matej Radosta, Alex Kral, Ondrej Lingr and Adam Hlozek rounding out the lineup.

The match is set for Saturday, October 3, with kickoff at 12:45 pm Mexico City time, 1:45 pm for Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, 2:45 pm Eastern time in the United States, and 3:45 pm for Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. The game will be played at the Nuevo Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo.

With first place already secured and an unbeaten streak that keeps growing, the question is whether the Czechs can slow down a Spain team that isn't just winning but doing so by blowout margins. The numbers from the first two matchdays make it clear who has the momentum.