Sweden and Slovakia are set to clash in Solna for this UEFA Nations League C group 1 decider. Both teams are stuck on the same number of points and this could determine who will finish as the group winners with just one game to go.
As of the time of writing, Sweden has 10 points from four games (W3 D1) and they sit in the top spot by virtue of head-to-head. On the other hand, Slovakia also has 10 points (W3 D1).
Tied atop League C Group 1, Sweden and Slovakia will continue their battle for automatic promotion in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday night when they lock horns in Solna. Their previous meeting in Bratislava ended in a 2-2 draw. The Swedes raced to a two-goal courtesy of Yasin Ayari and Ken Sema. However, a brace from David Strelec kept the Slovaks away from a home loss and both teams replicated each other’s results up to this point.
Jon Dahl Tomasson's side cruised past their three other Nations League challengers but could not get one over the Slovakians in Bratislava, surrendering a two-goal lead. After losing three out of the four friendly fixtures at the beginning of his tenure, Tomasson’s reign has seen a significant turnaround. He led the Swede side to a comfortable start to the Nations League campaign in September with a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan in Baku. That performance was followed by another comfortable 3-0 win over Estonia in Solna with Sporting Lisbon goal machine Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice, while strike partner Alexander Isak also registered his third goal of the campaign. The entertaining 2-2 draw in Bratislava then followed before the Swedes returned to winning ways against Estonia (3-0 win once again).
Sweden suffered relegation from League B last year and they are looking good for an immediate return. A win against this opposition will all but confirm their promotion. In addition, winning Group 1 could potentially lead to a backdoor place in the World Cup playoffs, if required.
The new Nations League campaign kicked off in early September, and Slovakia returned to action for the first time since they were sent out of Euro 2024 by eventual losing finalists England in the last 16. The Falcons had a memorable tournament where they beat Belgium and got a draw against Romania.
Their journey to earn promotion to League B started with a nervy 1-0 win over Estonia in Tallinn, with Hellas Verona forward Tomas Suslov scoring the game's only goal. That win was followed by another 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in Kosice. Verona player, Ondrej Duda, converted a penalty before David Strelec wrapped up the points with Slovakia's second. The third group game ended in a 2-2 draw. Slovakia rallied around from a two-goal deficit to avoid defeat on home soil. Francesco Calzona's side is on track for at least a playoff when this year's group phase finishes, but they can make things better with a win in Solna.
However, if they are to pip Sweden to the top spot, they must surely end their drought against Saturday's opponents: Slovakia has yet to win in seven previous meetings.
Sweden will be relying on the red-hot form of forwards Isak and Gyokeres to seal their automatic promotion to the upper class. The duo are one of the most feared strikers in Europe at the moment and the visitors will have to keep them at bay if they want to walk away with all three points or force them to another draw. This is going to be a close contest and it remains to be seen which team will probably carry the day.
Sweden and Slovakia have met only 7 times. Among them, Sweden has won three games, Slovakia has not won against the Swedes yet, and four games have produced stalemates.
Match tickets
The epic match at Friends Arena in Solna will kick off at 19:45 GMT on Saturday, November 16th, 2024.
The 50,000-capacity stadium will host this clash between the joint group leaders.
Getting Sweden v Slovakia tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Newcastle United star Alexander Isak missed the last international window, but he should be available for this particular game. In-from Viktor Gyokeres should lead the line alongside the Newcastle man with Tottenham Hotspur winger Dejan Kulusevski set to link up with the front two. With Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen not expected to feature again, Viktor Johansson should be in goal and Isak Hien at the heart of the backline alongside Alex Douglas.
Sweden XI: Viktor Johansson; Isak Hien, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Alex Douglas; K. Sema, S. Nanasi, A. Saletros, Y. Ayari, E. Krafth; Viktor Gyokeres, Dejan Kulusevski.
Head coach Francesco Calzona and Slovakia were without several key players due to injury for both Nations League matches last month, but they could welcome some of those absentees back. First-choice goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is expected to make a return for this group decider, meaning Marek Rodak will be on the bench, while Euros star Ivan Schranz and veteran midfielder Juraj Kucka could still miss out again.
Slovakia XI: Marek Rodak; David Hancko, Milan Skriniar, Lybomir Satka, Peter Pekarik; Lazlo Benes, Stanislav Lobotka, Ondrej Duda; Lukas Haraslin, David Strelec, Tomas Suslov.
Prediction
The Swede team are one of the most exciting teams in Europe at the moment. With the form of Gyokeres and Isak, they can take on any team in the world. It was quite shocking to see them drop to League C last year, but here is a chance for them to make an immediate return.
The Falcons have continued to stay impressive since their run at Euro 2024 and they will be fancying their chances when they take to the pitch in Solna. They showed character in the first leg to avoid a loss and they will need a lot more to avoid defeat in this match day five clash.
By form and history, Sweden should secure all three points but not without a fight from the Falcons.
Sweden 2-1 Slovakia
