MADRID - SPAIN can strengthen its chances of qualifying early for the 2010 World Cup on Saturday with a victory against closest rival Turkey, which trails the European champion by four points in Group 5.

Spain has won its first four matches to lead the group with 12 points as it hopes to continue its 19-game winning streak.

But the team is without Barcelona pair Andres Iniesta (leg) and Carles Puyol (ankle) for the important match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, while Xavi Hernandez, voted the best player at Euro 2008, could also be left on the bench as the Barcelona midfielder battles an Achilles problem.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said he thinks the squad is deep enough to overcome the absences.

'The group has created a great ambiance since winning the Euros,' Del Bosque said. 'But you have to remember that Spain is not unbeatable.'

David Villa is looking to continue his streak of scoring in six straight international games to take his total tally to 25 goals - four behind Fernando Hierro in second place on the all-time list.

With center back Puyol missing, Del Bosque is likely to count on the less experienced pairing of Gerard Pique and Raul Albiol, which he used in a 2-0 friendly win over England in February.

Turkey, which is unbeaten with two victories in group play, knows it has a difficult task against a team that hasn't lost since November 2006 and tops the FIFA rankings.

'Spain is the best. FIFA says it and their play says it,' Turkey coach Fatih Terim said.

Terim is without midfielder Mehmet Topal and defenders Gokhan Zan, Servet Cetin and Hamit Altintop. Striker Nihat Kahveci is finally fit after a season spent battling various injuries.

The two teams meet again in Istanbul on Wednesday. -- AP