Andy West
Spanish football writer

Image source, EPA

The long-standing partnership between Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Barcelona's Gerard Pique is one of the most stable aspects of the team, although the former has withdrawn from the current squad with a shoulder injury.

However, Pique has become an enormously controversial character in Spain over the last few months and has been subjected to fearful abuse from his own supporters during recent internationals.

Pique's every touch of the ball has been mercilessly jeered in Spain's recent home games, and initial plans to stage tonight's game at Real's Bernabeu were scrapped to avoid the controversy of 80,000 rabid Madridistas venting their fury at the defender throughout a fixture which comes just one weekend before a Clasico at the same venue.  

Read more from Andy on Spain's troubles here.

Today we are asking: What are your best friendly moment?

Get in touch at #bbcfootball or text in on 81111 (UK only).

Andy West
Spanish football writer

The biggest decision facing Vicente Del Bosque is the identity of his team's centre forward, because Chelsea striker Diego Costa has made a wretched start to his international career since being persuaded to switch allegiances from his native Brazil.

Costa has scored only one goal in nine appearances for La Roja - against Luxembourg more than a year ago - and he has also struggled to make much general impact with his rampaging, physical style of play looking utterly unsuited to the team's patient passing approach.

The other options in the current squad are Valencia's Paco Alcacer and Alvaro Morata of Juventus, and their recent international outings have been far more convincing. Alcacer top-scored during qualifying with five goals in eight appearances, while Morata's ability to link play made the team look much more effective.

Image source, Reuters

If the pre-match images are anything to go by it promises to be a very, er, engaging atmosphere for the Republic of Ireland away fans tonight...

Follow that game in full here.

What's wrong with Spain?! On the face of it, nothing, surely?

But scratch beneath the surface and all is not well in the red corner.

Here's what Spanish football writer Andy West has to say on the matter:

Image source, AP

Poland edged out the Republic of Ireland and Scotland to qualify behind Group D winners Germany for the finals of Euro 2016.

Tonight they should get a decent work-out against an Iceland team that's on a real high after making it to France and their first major tournament finals.

Their squad includes Wales-based players Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea) and Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff).

Other qualifiers for France in action include Turkey, away to Qatar, Czech Republic, home to Serbia, and Slovakia v Switzerland.

Image source, PA

Four years ago, almost to the day, world champions Spain rolled into London town to face England with a stellar side containing Xavi, David Villa, David Silva, Andres Iniesta.

Spain dominated possession but they were no match for an England side of Scott Parker, Darren Bent and Glen Johnson, as captain Frank Lampard headed the only goal. 

Can Roy Hodgson pick up a similar smash-and-grab win tonight?

One of the great friendlies that one Dins - or so I believe. I was at a works Christmas do that night, watching Jamiroquai and going on the free dodgems. You could say we were all winners that night.  

Today we are asking: What are your best friendly moments?

Get in touch at #bbcfootball or text in on 81111 (UK only).

Image source, Getty Images

The last time England won on Spanish soil, MOTD presenter Gary Lineker scored four times!

Lineker - a Barcelona player at the time - hit all four in a 4-2 win in the Bernabeu., external

Harry Kane to go one better tonight?

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Alicante

Everton's Jonn Stones made Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique's "World XI" - but there is no place for him in England's team tonight.

If the central defensive partnership of Chris Smalling and Stones is England's future, then surely this is the game to try it out?

If Phil Jones does not make it as an international footballer, he can't complain about lack of opportunities.

I think there's more chance of seeing Roy Hodgson and Ray Lewington down Benidorm high street in fancy dress than England going gung-ho tonight - but you never, ever know...

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live in Alicante

Today we are asking: What are your best friendly moments?

Get in touch at #bbcfootball or text in on 81111 (UK only).

Former Northern Ireland international Gerry Taggart has urged the Irish Football Association to hand manager Michael O'Neill the four-year contract he wants after securing qualification for a major tournament for the first time in 30 years.

The IFA traditionally hands out two-year deals but O'Neill wants an extra two years to take in the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 campaigns.

Image source, PA

"It's a rebuilding job when the Euros are over. Players like Aaron Hughes and Gareth McAuley are going to retire and Michael will need four years to rebuild the team. What he has done in getting Northern Ireland to France is worth another two years in itself," said Taggart.

"If they do not give him what he wants he can walk away and I don't think he would find it too hard finding another job."

Thoughts?

Let's hope the Irish FA have put the graphic design budget to good use...

Jonny Evans returns to the Northern Ireland starting line-up as manager Michael O'Neill names a strong side for the friendly with Latvia.

The West Bromwich Albion defender missed the final two Euro 2016 qualifiers against Greece and Finland last month with a hamstring injury.

Conor McLaughlin and Jamie Ward come into the team after being named as substitutes for the draw with Finland.

Injured duo Paddy McNair and Chris Brunt, plus Niall McGinn drop out.

They may only be friendlies - the Republic of Ireland's play-off first leg apart - but there are some decent looking ties around Europe tonight. 

Most countries are getting their eye in ahead of Euro 2016 and hosts France - who didn't have to qualify - should get some decent match practice against Germany in Paris.

The sex tape case gripping French football is an unwanted distraction but coach Didier Deschamps will be looking for a positive performance against a German side that topped its qualification group for the Euros, as well as possible revenge for France's defeat in their 2014 World Cup quarter-final .

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Alicante

Everton's Ross Barkley had the praise of England manager Roy Hodgson ringing in his ears last night - and now he has the chance to impress again against Spain here in Alicante.

Barkley was outstanding against Estonia and Lithuania but must test himself on a tougher stage tonight against a Spain midfield carrying real international pedigree in the likes of Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

BBC Radio 5 Live

BBC Radio 5 live will also be across all the international football as it unfolds this evening. 

John Murray leads the commentary for England's friendly with Spain in Alicante, alongside Ian Dennis and former England defender Danny Mills. 

They will also have updates from Wales v Netherlands, Northern Ireland v Latvia and Bosnia v Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 play-off first leg.

Tune in at the top of the page.