Preview: Estonia vs. Sweden - prediction, team news, lineups

Languishing third in Group F following two defeats from three, the Swedes are only two points above their hosts as they enter a double-header also featuring a crucial clash with Austria.

Match preview

Although they emphatically took care of business against Azerbaijan with a 5-0 win in March, Sweden's route to next year's European Championship has not gone smoothly so far.

After missing out on Qatar 2022, the Blagult suffered a humbling home defeat to Belgium at the start of the Euro qualifiers, and June's 2-0 loss at the hands of Group F leaders Austria served to put them further behind the eight ball.

Three months on, Janne Andersson's side will be seeking a fresh start as they try to close down a four-point gap to the early leaders, with only the top two finishers ultimately guaranteed a ticket to Germany.

The pressure is mounting on the Swedes' experienced coach, as they are in danger of missing out on Europe's top international tournament for the first time since Euro 1996 - a second chance of qualifying via the playoffs was closed by a dismal display in the most recent UEFA Nations League.

Continuing a clear decline in fortunes for the 2018 World Cup quarter-finalists, Sweden were relegated to the third tier after picking up just four points from six games in their League B campaign.

Now, a rescue act is required to pull them out of qualifying trouble, and ahead of next week's potentially pivotal contest with Austria in Stockholm they must surely take maximum points home from Estonia.

Having picked up only one point from their first two matches in Group F, Estonia were always unlikely to increase their tally last time out, when they hosted Belgium.

The Red Devils left Tallinn with three goals and three points, leaving Thomas Haberli's men second-bottom of the group - only avoiding the basement by virtue of a superior goal difference to fellow outsiders Azerbaijan.

It could have all been so different, as Estonia seemed set for a famous victory in Linz on matchday one, only for Austria to score two late goals and snatch victory - the Sinisargid also led Azerbaijan until the 62nd minute of a 1-1 draw.

Nonetheless, there are signs of some progress for the little Baltic nation, who have lost just three of their last 12 matches across all competitions, picking up five wins in the process.

Those rare successes came against the likes of Malta and San Marino, though, and keeping a talented Swedish side at bay for 90 minutes will prove a far tougher task.

Estonia Euro Champ Qualifying form:

L

D

L

Estonia form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

D

L

Sweden Euro Champ Qualifying form:

L

W

L

Sweden form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

W

L

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Team News

While star names such as Emil Forsberg, Dejan Kulusevski and Alexander Isak are all fit and ready to serve, Janne Andersson's hopes of leading Sweden to two victories this month have been hit by injury withdrawals from Ludwig Augustinsson, Kristoffer Olsson and Burnley's Hjalmar Ekdal.

In Augustinsson's absence, Malmo's Martin Olsson was called up again to fill in at left-back, sidelining younger hopefuls such as Gabriel Gudmundsson and Young Boys defender Noah Persson. Throughout 2023, 35-year-old Olsson has made just five starts in the Allsvenskan, completing 90 minutes only once: when he netted a stoppage-time equaliser against IFK Goteburg last week.

After a failed dalliance with a bolder 4-3-3 formation, Andersson has more recently reverted to a stock Swedish 4-4-2, with Premier League pair Isak and Kulusevski possibly starting up front - the latter would shift to the right wing if Viktor Gyokeres is selected too.

Meanwhile, continuing a proud international career into his 40th year, Estonia captain Konstantin Vassiljev stands ready to make his 152nd appearance for the hosts this weekend.

The 39-year-old midfielder may have to make do with a substitute role, however, as Martin Miller and Shamrock Rovers star Markus Poom have been preferred by Thomas Haberli of late.

Having scored four goals in his last eight national team appearances, Rauno Sappinen will now miss out due to a serious knee injury, leaving either Erik Sorga or Hong Kong-based Henri Anier to lead the line in his keenly felt absence.

Estonia possible starting lineup:

Hein; Kuusk, Tamm, Mets; Tunjov, Poom, Kait, Miller, Kallaste; Ojamaa, Anier

Sweden possible starting lineup:

Olsen; Holm, Lindelof, Hien, Olsson; Kulusevski, Cajuste, Svanberg, Forsberg; Isak, Gyokeres

We say: Estonia 0-3 Sweden

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