With the Swedes still having plenty to play for, and Beligum looking to capitalise on a potential Italian slip up elsewhere in the group, this is expected to be a hard fought contest on the final matchday of the Euro 2016 group stages.
Erik Hamrén’s side have endured an underwhelming Euro 2016 campaign thus far, opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland, and going down 1-0 to the Azzurri, with Éder’s late strike consigning the Scandinavian outfit to a morale-crushing loss.
Sweden are the only nation in Euro 2016 who have yet to register a shot on target in their opening two games, and star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been deprived of service throughout the tournament.
By contrast, the Red Devils go into this encounter with a spring in their step following a 3-0 victory over Ireland. Romelu Lukaku got on the scoresheet twice, while Axel Witsel scored what is arguably the best team goal of the competition thus far.
Prior to that, however, Marc Wilmots’s men suffered 2-0 at the hands of the Italy on Group E’s opening matchday.
Key Battle – Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Romelu Lukaku
Ibra has underwhelmed so far, though through no fault of his own, as he has received inadequate service and has been choked out of games while spearheading Sweden’s toothless attack – that has failed to place a shot on target as of yet in France.
The Blågult’s only chance of netting at the tournament, it seems, is through the 34-year-old. He provided the cross that led to Ireland’s own goal – the Swedes’ only at this point in time – and is the only player of star quality in an average Sweden squad. Zlatan will need to have a great impact for an upset to occur against a Belgian side that is ranked second in the world.
Having come off a two-goal game in the previous round, Everton striker Lukaku is in fine form and will look to increase his goal tally and punish the Scandinavian outfit. Belgium are expected to create a lot of chances, especially with players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard in the side, and most of these are likely to fall to the physically dominating front-man.
Coming up against Andreas Granqvist – the man who arguably can be attributed to Italy’s late equaliser – Lukaku should have plenty of opportunities presented to him. If he can take these, as Ibrahimovic will surely take any that come to him, the Red Devils should sweep Sweden aside.
Team News
Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembélé is expected to miss this clash, having limped-off with an ankle injury against the Irish in a 3-0 win. His replacement is likely to be AS Roma’s industrious midfielder Radja Nainggolan, who entered the field following the 28-year-old’s injury.
Hamrén, meanwhile, is not expected to make many changes to his starting lineup, however, former Manchester City man John Guidetti may be replaced by Marcus Berg up front.
Head-to-head
The two sides have met 14 times previously. Sweden have emerged victorious on five of those occasions, while Belgium have won seven of the clashes.
Sweden and Belgium have met just once in a major international tournament, with it being the opening fixture of Euro 2000 in Belgium. The hosts won that game 2-1 through goals from Bart Goor and Émile Mpenza.
Previous Meeting
June 1, 2014, in Sweden was the last time the two nations met. Lukaku and Hazard netted for the Red Devils that day, in preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The two sides are largely unchanged in comparison to the present.
Prediction
Although the Swedes are expected to come at Belgium with more attacking impetus to what has been displayed in their previous outings, Wilmots boasts such a talented side that is capable of tearing teams that shirk from their defensive duties apart. As well as this, the Red Devils possess a strong defensive unit, though one that seems vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Failing to register a shot on target so far in France, Sweden’s chances lay on their talismanic captain’s broad shoulders. If Ibra is not firing for this match, the Scandinavians are unlikely to get anything out of it. He cannot always provide a one-man show, however, and Belgium look well equipped to deal with whatever Hamrén’s side potentially has to offer.
Having announced his retirement from international football recently, it appears this may be Ibrahimovic’s last outing for Sweden.
Sweden 0 Belgium 2
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