FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Sweden vs England Preview
Samara, Russia – England are preparing for their biggest game in over a decade as they face Sweden in a tense quarter-final match. For Sweden, if they advance to the semi-finals, it would be the first time since USA 1994, when they finished in third place. As for England, a last-four appearance in Russia would be their first since Italy 1990, when they finished fourth.
Current Form:
Sweden are coming off the back of a resilient 1-0 victory over Switzerland thanks to Emil Forsberg’s deflected goal. The Three Lions were able to overcome the mental hurdle of conceding a stoppage-time equalizer and defeated Colombia 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time, to win the nation’s first World Cup finals shootout at the fourth attempt.
Previous Encounters:
This will be the 25th meeting between these sides. England have won eight to Sweden’s seven, with nine draws. Both of the previous World Cup meetings between Sweden and England have finished level, with a 1-1 draw in 2002 and a 2-2 in 2006
View From Both Camps:
Sweden Manager Janne Andersson : “I grew up in the 70s and we used to follow English football. It was only one televised match a week in those days. I grew up with this and England was my second nation. It’s a wonderful feeling to face them as head coach of the Swedish team.
“But football has developed a great deal. What they still have is the heart and the spirit of fighting. I have always appreciated that but it’s not the England I grew up watching.”
England Manager Gareth Southgate: “Although our team will be better in two years with more life experience, maybe the cards on injuries and things won’t fall as kindly and we won’t get this opportunity again.
“It’s dangerous if I start to get carried away, but I’m proud of the way we’re playing.”
Team News:
Sweden will be without first-choice right-back Mikael Lustig after he picked up his second yellow against Switzerland.They welcome back Sebastian Larsson, who missed the last-16 victory through suspension.
England look set to be without Jamie Vardy after the Leicester striker suffered a groin strain against Colombia.The fitness of Ashley Young, Kyle Walker and Dele Alli was being monitored, but they have all fully recovered.
Potential Lineups:
Sweden (4-4-2) : Robin Olsen; Emil Krafth, Victor Lindelöf, Andreas Granqvist, Ludwig Augustinsson; Viktor Claesson, Sebastian Larsson, Albin Ekdal, Emil Forsberg; Marcus Berg, Ola Toivonen
England (3-5-2) : Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Dele, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane
Match Prediction:
It’s a massive chance for England, but it’ll be a hard game. Sweden are very well organized from a defensive point of view, and will be hard to get past. The Swedes rely entirely on the counter to create any sort of goal scoring opportunities. England will have to be very patient, and not get caught on the counter-attack with a sucker punch. It’s going to be a tense game and will be hard to split the two sides apart.
Prediction : Sweden 0-2 England
