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

The Scandinavian nation beat the European Championship semi-finalists on Thursday night to continue their perfect start to World Cup qualifying.

Match preview

Sweden became the first team to beat Spain in World Cup qualifying since 1993 when they came from behind to win 2-1 in Solna on Thursday, with Alexander Isak and Viktor Claesson getting on the scoresheet.

It means that Janne Andersson's side sit top of their qualifying group with nine points from three matches and a game in hand over La Roja.

Sweden, who reached the round of 16 at Euro 2020 in the summer, continue their campaign away in Greece on Wednesday.

Their extra-time defeat to Ukraine in June is their only loss in 10 games so far in 2021, while they have kept six clean sheets this year.

Andersson's men are beginning to make the Friends Arena a fortress, having won their last six matches on home turf.

This is Uzbekistan's first ever meeting with Sweden and their first game against a non-Asian nation since they lost 2-0 to Turkey in a friendly in June 2019.

The trip to Stockholm will be Srecko Katanec's first game in charge; his CV includes guiding his native Slovenia to their first European Championship and World Cup in 2000 and 2002 respectively.

Previous manager Vadim Abramov left his position after Uzbekistan bowed out of World Cup qualifying in June with a 3-0 loss to Saudi Arabia.

The White Wolves finished second in their group in the second round of qualifying in Asia, but missed out on progressing to the third round as one of the best runners-up by one point.

Uzbekistan are ranked 83rd in the world, 66 places below Sweden in 17th.

Sweden form (all competitions):

Uzbekistan form (all competitions):

Team News

Janne Andersson has said he will use this game to give more players in his squad a chance to play, suggesting he could make 11 changes.

Uncapped Daniel Sundgren will hope that means he has the chance to make his debut, while Isaac Kiese Thelin might be handed a first start in nearly three years.

In goal, there could be only a third cap for Pontus Dahlberg, who plays for Doncaster Rovers on loan from Watford.

Uzbekistan's 33-year-old captain Odil Akhmedov retired from international football after their World Cup qualifying exit.

The country's main dangerman is striker Eldor Shomurodov, who has one goal in four games for Roma this season.

Midfielder Javokhir Sidikov has pulled out of the squad through injury.

Sweden possible starting lineup:

Dahlberg; Sundgren, Nilsson, Starfelt, Olsson; Johansson, Cajuste, Svanberg, Sema; Kiese Thelin, Larsson

Uzbekistan possible starting lineup:

Kuvvatov; Alijonov, Kobilov, Alikulov, Sayfiev; Ismoilov, Shukurov, Khamrobekov; Ikromov, Shomurodov, Masharipov

We say: Sweden 4-0 Uzbekistan

Despite the likelihood of several changes, Sweden should still be pretty comfortable winners against an Uzbekistan side which is largely made up of players from their own top flight. Confidence will be high in the Swedish squad and this game should boost morale even more.