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Tuesday's Euro 2016 Qualifiers preview: Spain close on qualification

Andres Iniesta is embraced by teammates Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets after scoring during their Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovakia
Image: Defending champions Spain will be hoping to book their place at Euro 2016

Spain can take a giant stride towards qualification for Euro 2016 when they travel to Macedonia on Tuesday night.

The defending European champions, who are on course to go in search of a third consecutive crown at next summer's tournament in France, head to Skopje having moved top of Group C with a 2-0 victory over second-placed Slovakia on Saturday.

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Victory for Vicente del Bosque's side, against a side whom they thrashed 5-1 in the opening round of qualification fixtures, would see them all-but book their ticket to the finals next year.

Spain's cause will be aided if second-placed Slovakia manage to defeat third-placed Ukraine in Zilina.

Jan Kozak's side will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Spain in Oviedo in their last outing and, similarly to Spain, three points would put them on the verge of qualification, six points ahead of Ukraine with just two games to play.

Elsewhere in the group, Belarus and Luxembourg both go in search of their second victory of the campaign. The sides head into the clash in Barysaw deadlocked on four points and a positive result would see either side claim a personal victory over their opponent.

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A slick move from Spain saw David Silva provide an exquisite ball over the top for Jordi Alba to latch onto, giving Spain the lead against Slovakia

In the pick of Tuesday's night's qualifiers, first and second in Group G do battle in Stockholm as Sweden look to prevent runaway group leaders Austria from winning the group.

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Marcel Koller's side head into the game with a healthy six-point advantage over Sweden and can seal their place at Euro 2016 if they avoid defeat.

Sweden, meanwhile, will be hoping to make home advantage count after their narrow defeat in Moscow breathed life into third-place Russia's hopes of automatic qualification.

Austria's Zlatko Junuzovic is congratulated
Image: Zlatko Junuzovic scored the only goal as Austria beat Moldova on Saturday

Leonid Slutsky's Russian side head to Liechtenstein looking to capitalise on any slip-up from Sweden. They will be hopeful of replicating their 4-0 victory over the minnows on Matchday One.

Montenegro, meanwhile, have the play-offs in their sights and victory away in Moldova could see them draw level on points with third-placed Russia, should results go in their favour.

Excluding England's top-of-the-table clash with Switzerland at Wembley, the race for the play-offs is the story of Tuesday's games in Group E.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Image: Can Zlatan Ibrahimovic be the talismanic figure for Sweden once again?

With England qualified, and Switzerland all-but on their way to France, Estonia and Slovenia take centre-stage as they battle it out for the final chance to reach next summer's showpiece event.

Just a point separates Srecko Katanec and Magnus Pehrsson's respective teams ahead of kick-off in Celje, and Estonia will be looking to consolidate third place with their second qualification victory in three days.

Elsewhere, minnows San Marino head to Lithuania looking for their first goal of the qualification campaign. Lithuania still have a slim chance of pinching a play-off spot and a comprehensive victory in Vilnius will inject some life into their floundering qualification campaign. 

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

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