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Thursday’s international preview: Spain, Italy, Wales and Republic of Ireland in action

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson celebrates with his Iceland team-mates after scoring what proved to be the winner against England at Euro 2016
Image: Euro 2016 surprise package Iceland face Finland on Thursday

Italy, Spain, Iceland and Wales are all in action on Thursday as qualification for the 2018 World Cup gets back under way.

There are nine European qualifying matches, eight of which are live on Sky Sports, including Republic of Ireland's match against Georgia and Wales' trip to Austria.

Chris Coleman's side are looking to follow up their opening 4-0 win over Moldova with another three points, while in the same group, Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland host Georgia, who narrowly lost their first fixture to Austria.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Harry Arter of AFC Bournemouth and Nordin Amrabat of Watford battle for possession during the Premier League match between W
Image: Harry Arter (left) is out for the Republic of Ireland

Live International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

The Irish will have to do without Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter, who misses out with a hamstring injury.

Two World Cup winners go head-to-head in Group G as Spain travel to Italy in a re-run of their Euro 2016 last-16 clash, a game the Azzurri won 2-0. The two sides sit first and second in the group respectively, following Spain's 8-0 triumph over Liechtenstein and Italy's 3-1 victory over Israel.

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Internationals: 10 questions

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In the same group, minnows Liechtenstein will look to make life difficult when they host Albania, and Israel will aim to get their first points on the board when they travel to Macedonia.

Andreas Iniesta of Spain and Giorgio Chiellini of Italy compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 match
Image: Two World Cup winners go head-to-head when Spain face Italy
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Euro 2016 surprise package Iceland face Finland, Ukraine travel to Turkey and Kosovo host Croatia, all in Group I, with the six teams locked on one point after the first matchday.

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Republic of Ireland and Wales supporters may also have an eye on the one other game in Group D, as Serbia's talented squad travel to Moldova.

Southampton attacker Dusan Tadic has been in fine form for club and country, and could be the key man again for Serbia on Thursday night.

Live International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

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