Match: Spain vs. Sweden (Group Stage)
Date: 15-Jun-2021
Venue: Estadio de La Cartuja, Spain
Time: 12:30 AM (IST)
Can La Roja take on the in-form Swedish?
Three-time champions Spain will look to get off to a winning start in their Euro 2020 campaign when they face Sweden in Seville on Monday night. The Spanish will be attempting to win a fourth European Championship, which would make them the most successful team in the competition’s history, while Sweden will be trying to advance from the group stages for the first time since Euro 2004 when they reached the quarter-finals.
Spain’s preparations for the European Championship this summer have been less than ideal, with captain Busquets and then defender Llorente testing positive for coronavirus.
In their first friendly pre-tournament on 4th June, Enrique’s side was on 0-0 with Portugal but had to race their Under-21s for a clash with Lithuania on 8th June as the first team was isolated with the positive covid test of Busquets.
Guillamon, Diaz, Miranda, and Puado scored for Spain’s Under-21s against Lithuania, extending the country’s unbeaten streak in all competitions to eight games, including victories in three of their last four matches.
Sweden, as previously said, has experience going to the later rounds of the European Championship, reaching the semi-finals in 1992 and the quarter-finals in 2004.
Sweden has now competed in each of the previous six tournaments, although they have been ousted in the group stage in three consecutive contests but will be determined to advance this year.
Also Read: EURO Cup 2021 Group Stages: Important Matches, Preview & X-Factors!
Head to Head
Group E is intriguing, with Poland and Slovakia joining these two teams, Sweden will be mindful of a poor result in their opener, given that there are no easy matches in the division.
They’ve played 15 times, with Spain winning six of them. Three matches have been won by the Swedes, while five have been drawn.
Form Guide
Spain: WDWWD
Sweden: WWWWW
Team News
Because of a positive coronavirus test in Spain, Busquets will not be called up, but Diego Llorente may play as he has already received two negative covid tests.
Busquets’ spot in the center of the park might be taken by Rodri, while Thiago and Koke are also set to start, although there are several unknowns ahead of the opening game.
Pau Torres could start with Aymeric Laporte at the back, while Gerard Moreno, who had a good season for Villarreal, should begin as the final striker on the field.
Unai Simon is expected to start in goal, with Ferran Torres joining Moreno and Alvaro Morata in the attack; Morata leads the side in goals, with 19, and Enrique will turn to the 28-year-old for inspiration this summer.
As for Sweden, Head Coach Andersson is projected to use a 4-4-2 training course with Alexander Isak, who outstanded with Real Sociedad in the campaign 2020-21, joining Marcus Berg in the latter third.
It is tough to forecast the 11, particularly at midfield, much like Spain, but it should start with Sebastien Larsson’s expertise, while Emil Forsberg and Albin Ekdal are likely to stand side by side.
Victor Lindelof of Manchester United will start in the center of the back four, which will also contain the seasoned Mikael Lustig. At the same time, Marcus Danielson might also be called up for the Group E encounter.
Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg have both just tested positive for coronavirus. Hence neither will be able to compete in this match.
Predicted Lineups
Spain: Simon, M Llorente, Laporte, P Torres, Alba, Thiago, Rodri, Koke (C), F Torres, Morata, G Moreno
Sweden: Olsen, Lustig, Lindelof, Danielson, Augustinsson, S Larsson, Ekdal, Olsson, Forsberg, Isak, Berg (C)
Fantasy XI (3-4-3)
Goalkeeper: Simon
Defenders: Torres, Alba, Lustig
Midfielders: Koke, Thiago, Forsberg, Olsson
Attackers: Moreno, Torres, Isak
This could be a difficult match for Spain, as Sweden should be full of confidence. As previously stated, Spain’s preparations have been arduous, but we believe Enrique’s team will begin their Euro 2020 campaign with a slim but crucial victory.
Captain & Vice-Captain Selection
The Manchester City lad, Ferran Torres, has been in top form and is expected to feed Morarta and Moreno in the box. If the strikers cannot finish the job, he might play up front at some point in the game. Making Torres the captain of your team should be an easy choice. The Vice-Captain selection gets a little tricky, you can always go for Koke or Thiago, but the Swedish striker, Isak, is expected to show some fireworks in Spain. Selecting him as your vice-captain will be a good choice.
Watch out for the Mega Contest 1 Lakh INR contest this match
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