Predicting the XI: How Spain should line up at Euro 2016

With Euro 2016 fast approaching, theScore is taking a fine-tooth comb to a handful of marquee squads, offering our humble opinion on who should make up the starting XI for Germany, France, Spain, England, Belgium, and Italy - the six favourites to hoist the trophy this summer. Who starts, who sits, who gets left home, and, most importantly, why.

Here we examine the options at the disposal of Spain boss Vicente del Bosque.

theScore's starting XI

Spain was once a mighty, unmovable force in international football, as its golden generation dominated. There are but a few remnants of that generation, built on the back of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, but this current iteration of La Furia Roja still boasts plenty of high-quality talent.

David De Gea

The sudden dip in form for both Victor Valdes and Iker Casillas would have been a glaring hole for Spain had it not been for the emergence of De Gea. The 25-year-old Manchester United man, ever the object of Real Madrid's fancy, is ready to replace his predecessors in between the sticks.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Chelsea fans have had little to celebrate this season as the 2014-15 Premier League champion endured one of the worst title defenses in English footballing history. Azpilicueta, however, has avoided the sort of blame that has brought ill repute to many of his teammates.

Azpilicueta offers a perfect balance of offense and defense, and is always reliable for a well-timed slide tackle, too.

Sergio Ramos

Ramos is a leader in the Spanish team, with over 130 caps to his name in an international career spanning more than a decade. The Real Madrid defender is reliable, ever-present, and versatile. A former right full-back, he is now indistinguishable from natural center-halves.

He is a lock for a starting role with La Furia Roja this year.

Gerard Pique

Pique has had his critics, though his consistency has mostly silenced them, and while the Barcelona man is still prone to defensive errors, they have become fewer and farther between in recent years. His 76 caps and 2010 World Cup winners' medal makes him a valuable, experienced leader in this Spanish squad.

Jordi Alba

Barcelona's starting left full-back is a speedster through and through, boasting the kind of pace needed to thrive out wide. Alba has 42 caps with the Spanish team, so this selection is about as straightforward as it gets, but remaining healthy will be key for the 27-year-old.

Sergio Busquets

The rock upon which Barcelona built its empire, Busquets stands elite among defensive midfielders, an unmovable wall in the middle of the park. His read of the game and ability to shut down opposition attacks makes Busquets a prized asset.

While his job is by no means glamorous, it is absolutely necessary to Spanish success.

Andres Iniesta

Call Iniesta an old man at your own peril; the 31-year-old is nowhere near finished, despite winning every trophy imaginable for both country and club. The Barcelona maestro remains one of the finest midfielders in the world, his passing and vision unparalleled.

"It happens often that players are written off," Del Bosque told said of the diminutive playmaker. "But now Iniesta is in one of the best moments of his life. Let's hope he arrives like that in France. We have to support each other in what we see, not in what we assume things will be."

Cesc Fabregas

Unlike Azpilicueta, Fabregas has garnered a fair amount of doubters at Stamford Bridge due to his underwhelming, sometimes lazy performances. Still, Fabregas remains a top talent in the Spanish midfield and having rid himself of the shadow of Xavi, his path into the starting XI is as clear as it will ever be.

His mobility is the key issue - questions of his commitment to defending have long lingered - but with Busquets in support, Fabregas can enjoy a free midfield role without too much worry.

Isco

Isco's inclusion in this Spanish lineup is born more of a desire for attacking flair than as a natural fit in Del Bosque's traditional 4-3-3 formation, but in any case, the Real Madrid man offers a little something extra that Spain desperately needs up top.

Whether it's his penchant for a spectacular goal or his ability to create a dangerous chance, Isco is an attacking firecracker that can either spark and catch or fizzle out depending on the day.

Del Bosque will be hoping for the former in France this summer.

David Silva

Things haven't been quite so peachy this season for Manchester City, but for Silva, a lacklustre campaign hasn't really put a damper on his play; he is as exciting and dangerous as ever, with his talent diluted in a City team that cannot find its feet.

While his club campaign may be shrouded in disappointment, that's no reason to write off this tricky Spanish playmaker, who brings experience in the form of 96 caps and 23 goals for his country.

Alvaro Morata

This Spanish striker will head into the summer with the fate of his club career in the air; will the Juventus star stay in Turin next season, or will Real Madrid exercise its €30-million buy-back clause? Even if Madrid does, will Morata simply be sent to yet another club?

Morata doesn't know the answers yet. All he knows is that, with Fernando Torres now long faded, he is but one of a handful of Spanish center forwards who can lead the line for Del Bosque's side.

Substitutes

There is enough quality on the Spanish bench to compete with the best in world football, such is the sum of the riches on the Iberian peninsula. Del Bosque can always rest easy knowing that, no matter who goes down with injury or suffers a dip in form, he'll have a suitable replacement ready.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (FC Porto), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Hector Bellerin (Arsenal), Nacho (Real Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Juan Mata (Manchester United)

Forwards: Diego Costa (Chelsea), Paco Alcacer (Valencia), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao)

Left Home

Spain's quality is both deep and consisting of experience aplenty, such that a number of starters for elite clubs will be watching Euro 2016 from their couches.

Goalkeepers: Victor Valdes (Standard Liege), Sergio Asenjo (Villarreal)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad), Jose Gaya (Valencia)

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich), Ander Herrera (Manchester United), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao)

Forwards: Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Pedro (Chelsea), Nolito (Celta de Vigo)