Just three points separate Sweden in first place and Poland in fourth in this group and a win for either of these sides could ensure qualification if other results go their way.
For Sweden a win would enable them to finish in first on seven points, regardless of what happens in the other game in this group. But a win for Poland would see them finish on four points, which could be enough for at least a third-place finish again depending on the result in the game between Spain and Slovakia in this group.
In five previous meetings between these two Sweden have won all five scoring 11 goals and conceding just once between 1999 and 2004.
Sweden are 2/88 to win the game and Poland are 2/60 to win the game.
- Previous defensive record:
Sweden have scored one goal and conceded zero in their one win and draw in their last two games. Whereas Poland have conceded three goals and scored one in their one loss and draw in their last two games.
After his match winner against Slovakia, Emil Forsberg has opened the scoring in two of Sweden’s last three games. Poland’s Robert Lewandowski has now recorded his team’s first or last goal in five of his previous seven appearances for club or country and will be looking to add to it against Slovakia.
Misses next match if booked: Lustig, Olsson (Sweden)
Misses next match if booked: Jóźwiak, Klich, Lewandowski, Moder
Sweden possible line-up: Olsen; Lustig, Lindelöf, Danielson, Augustinsson; S Larsson, Ekdal, Olsson, Forsberg; Isak, Quaison
Poland possible line-up: Szczęsny; Bereszyński, Bednarek, Glik; Jóźwiak, Moder, Krychowiak, Zieliński, Puchacz; Lewandowski, Świderski
Team view:
Janne Andersson, Sweden coach: “We want to win the group; it would give us more rest ahead of the next match. We’re up against a physically strong, highly motivated Poland side. They run a lot, they tackle and battle – not unlike ourselves. They also have Robert Lewandowski up front. We need to handle their initial pressing better than we did against Spain, to give us spaces to exploit.”
Tymoteusz Puchacz, Poland defender: “Sweden are very tough opponents, but from a personal point of view, the last game with them I remember and played in was at Under-18 level, where we prevailed 1-0. I hope to get the same result on Wednesday. We must be brave against Sweden. What I liked against Spain was our aggression.”
Last six form guide:
Sweden: WDWWWW
Poland: DLDDLW
Sweden have already confirmed at least a top three finish, but they have a chance to go undefeated in the group stage of a European Championship for the first time since 2004 which was the last time they also finished first in their group.
They entered the tournament with five consecutive victories and have continued that form with another two clean sheets and will be making it hard for Poland to score as they haven’t conceded more than one goal in any of their last six Euro fixtures.
In contrast, Poland have kept one clean sheet across their last nine matches and if they fail to win here then they would exit the group stage of a European Championship without a victory for the third time in four attempts.
Although we could be in for an exciting game as in five straight games where Poland have played, both teams have scored and drawing with Spain in their last game may just boost their confidence to go all the way and get the win over Slovakia.
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