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

The two Scandinavian nations have not competed each other since another friendly game in May 2021, which Sweden won 2-0.

Match preview

After suffering the disappointment of missing out on qualifying for the recent World Cup in Qatar, Sweden's head coach Janne Andersson has clearly decided he wants to see some of his players in action by arranging friendlies against Finland and Iceland within the coming week.

Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski saw Poland beat the Swedes 2-0 in a play-off in Warsaw back in March, meaning Andersson's side could not build on the heady heights of reaching the quarter-finals at the 2018 World Cup.

Having been drawn alongside Belgium, Austria, Azerbaijan and Estonia in Group F of Euro 2024 qualifying, the Blue and Yellow will firmly be expected to bounce back and be competing at the finals in Germany next summer.

As such, Andersson will be hoping his untested players can impress him ahead of their next competitive match against Belgium in March.

Finland, meanwhile, are still riding the crest of the wave from reaching their first ever competitive international tournament after competing at the multi-national Euro 2020.

They beat Denmark 1-0 in Copenhagen, too, although that match is likely to be remembered more infamously as the day Christian Eriksen almost lost his life due to a cardiac arrest.

The Eagle-owls narrowly missed out on the opportunity to qualify for their first ever World Cup after finishing one point behind second-placed Ukraine, but the signs of progress remain steadfastly in place under head coach Markku Kanerva.

Having been drawn alongside the Danes, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Nothern Ireland and San Marino for Euro 2024 qualifying, there is every chance that Finland could be competing at a second successive European Championships next summer.

Sweden form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

W

W

Finland form (all competitions):

L

L

D

W

D

D

Team News

Only four of Sweden's 24-man squad have ever played for their national team at senior level before, with Christoffer Nyman their more experienced player on 10 caps and one goal.

The likes of Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski and Manchester United's Victor Lindelof are unavailable due to competing in domestic football.

Finland, meanwhile, have been able to call upon a little more experience than their forthcoming opponents, with 10 of their players already capped at senior level.

Captain Rasmus Schuller will be hoping to add to his 64 caps for his country from the middle of the park.

Sweden possible starting lineup:

Zetterstrom; Ekdal, Kurtulus, Andersson, Boman; Gustafson, Ayari, Bernhardsson, Gigovic; Nyman, Asoro

Finland possible starting lineup:

Sinisalo; Ivanov, Jensen, Hoskonen, Tomas; Soiri, Schuller, Lingman, Oksanen; Hostikka, Yiatupa

We say: Sweden 0-0 Finland

With both nations unable to call upon a raft of talented senior professionals, it could be a dour affair in Portugal on Monday.

Both managers will be hoping some of their debutants can impress them ahead of Euro 2024 qualifying beginning in March.

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