Preview: Sweden vs Serbia – prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Nations League match between Sweden and Serbia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
After experiencing mixed fortunes in UEFA Nations League so far this summer, both Sweden and Serbia will chase three points on Thursday, when they meet in Stockholm.
The two teams have been beaten by early League B Group 4 leaders Norway already, after the Swedes lost to their Nordic neighbors at home last weekend.
Match preview
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Although Dejan Kulusevski set up his second Premier League star Anthony Elanga for a late consolation goal on Sunday, to fall to a bitter defeat in Stockholm worsened Sweden’s positive start to their new Nations League campaign.
A rare loss against regional rivals Norway, which Blagult has traditionally dominated, came as Janne Anderssons side became the latest victims of the incurable Erling Haalandwho will soon join Kulusevski and Elanga in England when he completes his move to Manchester City.
After a very controversial penalty, Haaland put the Norwegians in the lead at Solnas Friends Arena, before doubling the visitors’ lead halfway through the second half – which finally handed Sweden over to its fourth loss in six matches and extended a difficult period in recent times.
After being relegated from the highest level of the Nations League, Andersson’s men left the European Championship 2020 in the first knockout stage, before they fell short in their efforts to reach the winter World Cup.
In fact, Sweden was well on its way to qualifying automatically for Qatar 2022 ahead of group favorites Spain before the events of November last year, when losses to Georgia and their Spanish rivals sent them to the playoffs, where they then lost to Poland.
However, they managed to take three points from Slovenia at the beginning of this summer’s intense international period and returned with a 2-0 victory in Ljubljana last week.
Set to visit Oslo for the return match with Norway this weekend, it can be crucial to add at least one point from their midweek match, but they face opponents who are equally set on reaching the whirling heights of League A.
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Unlike its hosts on Thursday, Serbia made it to the World Cup and did so under dramatic circumstances by taking an automatic place from Portugal late in their last qualifying match.
Ever since, Dragan Stojkovics men have built towards the upcoming final in Qatar, and after a draw and defeat from two friendly matches in the spring, they have opened their latest Nations League campaign in the same way this month.
Stuck by that man again, Haaland, when they returned to competitive action last week in Belgrade, the Eagles were dominant in their first match against Norway, but still continued to lose 1-0.
But on Sunday night, Serbia defeated a comprehensive victory in their second home game in a row, by putting on the style at the end of a 4-1 victory over Group 4 outsiders Slovenia.
In the absence of the injured Dusan Vlahovicthe serbian attack still managed to conjure up goals from a variety of sources, so Stojkovic’s team remains a challenger for promotion to League A, having started the first competition down to the third level, just four years ago.
Sweden Nations League form:
Sweden form (all competitions):
Serbia’s Nations League Form:
Serbia form (all competitions):
Team news
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Before a third match in just a few days – and an important clash with Norway is not yet on the way – Sweden’s coach Janne Andersson can make some changes in his starting eleven on Thursday.
Of course, since Dejan Kulusevski will be suspended for having been booked in both opening matches, the hosts will be forced to change things up front, so Robin Quaison or teenager Anthony Elanga – who scored when he returned from injury this weekend – should be among the top three.
As Carl Starfelt was previously sent home after being sent off in Slovenia and Manchester United Victor Lindelöf is absent due to injury, Joakim Nilsson should cooperate in the central defense of Alexander Milosevic. Meanwhile without a roof Hjalmar Ekdal brother of the veteran midfielder Albin Ekdalwhich is also inaccessible due to damage – offers an alternative.
Serbia could make their own defensive change at Friends Arena, like Bochums Erhan Masovic – a debutant this weekend – can make room for another Bundesliga-based player, Milos Veljkovic by Werder Bremen.
With star striker Dusan Vlahovic sidelined throughout this summer’s action, Fulham’s goal machine Aleksandar Mitrovic will expect to lead the visitors’ line again, having scored 45 times in 73 previous internationals.
Luka Jovic could go with him in front, or captain Dusan Tadic will otherwise be part of a playing pair behind the lone striker, along with Lazios Sergei Milinkovic-Savicgoal scorer of the important second goal on Sunday.
Sweden’s possible starting line-up:
Olsen; Krafth, Milosevic, Nilsson, Augustinsson; Forsberg, Karlström, Svanberg; Elanga, Isak, Claesson
Possible starting lineup for Serbia:
V. Milinkovic-Savic; Pavlovic, Milenkovic, Veljkovic; Lazovic, Lukic, Gudelj, Kostic; S. Milinkovic-Savic, Tadic; A. Mitrovic
We say: Sweden 2-2 Serbia
As Norway hosts Slovenia and can possibly make it to the top of Group 4, both sides will aim for victory, and that could result in a more open match than expected.
With both Dusan Vlahovic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic missing from the stage, others will have the chance to shine, and Serbia still have enough firepower to take at least one point from their perhaps toughest match on paper.
For data analysis of the most likely results, result lines and more for this match, click here.
Top tips
Our expert tips partners at Sporita.com betting under 3.5 goals in this match. click here to find out what more they predict for this game and for more of their proven football tips.Under 3.5: data