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Saturday's Euro 2016 Qualifiers preview: Spain aim to end Slovakia's perfect record, Austria bid to qualify

Alvaro Morata (2L) celebrates after scoring a goal with David Silva (L), Spain's defender Gerard Pique (R) and Spain's defender Sergio Ramos (2R),
Image: Spain could move top of Group C with victory over Slovakia.

Defending champions Spain can take a big step towards qualifying for Euro 2016 with victory over Slovakia on Saturday evening.

Vicente del Bosque's side start the weekend second in Group C, three points behind Slovakia, who have won all six of their matches so far.

That includes a 2-1 victory over Spain last October that has put them on course to qualify for the tournament for the first time.

David de Gea is unlikely to start for the hosts after his Deadline Day transfer saga, with Iker Casillas continuing in goal instead, while Juan Mata and Diego Costa are in the squad.

Elsewhere in Group C, third-placed Ukraine can keep themselves in contention for an automatic qualification place with victory at home to Belarus.

Mikhail Fomenko's men are three points off the top two but must face both Slovakia and Spain in their final four matches.

Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea (L) and Porto FC's Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas
Image: Iker Casillas (R) is set to start ahead of David de Gea for Spain.

The other game in the group sees basement side Luxembourg host second-from-bottom Macedonia.

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Group G leaders Austria could secure qualification for Euro 2016 if they beat Moldova at home and Russia fail to win against Sweden.

With five wins from six matches, Austria are four points clear of second-placed Sweden and eight ahead of Russia in third.

The only time Austria have qualified for the European Championships before was when they co-hosted the tournament in 2008.

Leonid Slutski will take charge of Russia for the first time against Sweden, just a month after he replaced Fabio Capello at the helm.

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Anything other than a victory for the hosts in Moscow would leave them with an uphill task to qualify automatically for the finals and in a battle for third spot with Montenegro and Liechtenstein, who are both three points behind and meet in Montenegro this weekend.

England can seal their place at the finals if they beat San Marino, regardless of the other results in Group E.

A win for Switzerland would see them cement second place in the group and give them a six-point cushion over Slovenia, who they face in Basel on Saturday.

Estonia could move into third if they beat Lithunia at home and the Swiss beat Slovenia.

Watch Saturday's European Qualifiers live on Sky Sports - details here.

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