The report says England are three points clear after four wins from four, which explains why the mood around this trip is one of opportunity rather than jeopardy.
That matters because qualification campaigns can turn quickly when tie-breakers enter the picture. England have already shown they can hurt Spain, and doing it again away from home would be another marker of the team’s maturity under Wiegman.
For Spain, this looks like a game that demands a response. Reports suggest they would be pushed toward the play-offs if they fail to beat England, so the pressure is likely to sit differently on the hosts.
That should suit England. Wiegman’s best teams are usually organised without the ball and ruthless when momentum swings. If Spain chase the game, spaces will open. If they play cautiously, England can lean on structure and game management.
The wider British and Irish picture is more complicated.
By the end of Friday night, England could be the first of the home nations to book their place in Brazil. If not, the spotlight will shift immediately to the final round, where every goal, and possibly every tie-breaker, may start to matter.