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[monks data]
Sweden national football team
Friendlies 1
Mar 31, 2021 at 4.45pm UK
 
Estonia national football team

Sweden
1 - 0
Estonia

Berg (4')
Sema (61'), Svanberg (80')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Kirss (52'), Purg (73'), Anier (76')

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

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's International Friendlies clash between Sweden and Estonia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sweden will look to cap off a strong international break on Wednesday when they take on Estonia in friendly action.

The Blue and Yellow have enjoyed victories over Georgia and Kosovo in recent World Cup Qualifiers, while Estonia suffered heavy defeats at the hands of the Czech Republic and Belarus.


Match preview

Sweden's Viktor Claesson celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 28, 2021© Reuters

Sweden picked up a dominant victory last time out, as they defeated Kosovo 3-0 away from home.

Ludwig Augustinsson and Alexander Isak gave them a two-goal lead in the first half, before Sebastien Larsson added a third from the penalty spot to seal a dominant victory.

That followed a narrow home win over Georgia, as Viktor Claesson netted the only goal of the game at the Friends Arena.

As a result, Janne Andersson's side now top their World Cup qualifying group with two victories from their opening two games, but they turn their attention away from the qualifying campaign on Wednesday.

Instead, they will be focusing on getting a victory over Estonia in friendly action to seal a third consecutive victory and a perfect international break.

However, their opponents will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive heavy defeats recently.

Estonia's Rauno Sappinen in action with Czech Republic's Pavel Kaderabek on March 24, 2021© Reuters

Despite taking the lead twice through Henri Anier, Estonia fell to a 4-2 defeat away at Belarus last time out, as a Vitali Lisakovich brace and goals from Yury Kendysh and Pavel Savitski sealed all three points for the hosts.

Before that, they suffered a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of the Czech Republic.

Estonia took the lead though Rauno Sappinen, but goals from Patrik Schick, Antonin Barak, Jakub Jankto and a Tomas Soucek hat-trick firmly put the game out of reach, before Anier netted a late consolation goal.

Thomas Haberli's side will be looking to bounce back from those two heavy defeats on Wednesday, as they take a break from World Cup Qualifiers.

Sweden form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W

Estonia form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L


Team News

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates a goal during the clash with Georgia on March 25, 2021© Reuters

After recently coming out of international retirement, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will lead the line for Sweden, having netted 62 goals for Sweden in his career.

The 39-year-old has been back to what resembles his clinical best for AC Milan this season, having scored 15 goals in 15 Serie A appearances.

He will be joined by the exciting Alexander Isak, who has continued to impress in La Liga for Real Sociedad this season.

At the other end of the pitch, Manchester United's Victor Lindelof and Rangers' Filip Helander form an impressive centre-back pairing, making the Blue and Yellow very well-balanced.

They do not have their full squad available though, as goalkeeper Robin Olsen has missed out on the international break with an injury.

Despite picking up a red card last time out, Karl Oigus will be available to play for Estonia in this game, with the suspension instead applying to the next World Cup Qualifier.

The only player in the squad to play domestic football outside of Estonia is 18-year-old defender Maksim Paskotsi, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur.

Meanwhile, the most notable player in the team is captain Konstantin Vassiljev, who has netted 25 goals in 127 international appearances from midfield.

The only other player with over 10 international goals in this side is forward Henri Anier, who has 16 from 67 caps.

Sweden possible starting lineup:
Nordfeldt; Lustig, Lindelof, Helander, Augustinsson; Claesson, Olsson, Larsson, Forsberg; Ibrahimovic, Isak

Estonia possible starting lineup:
Igonen; Alliku, Purg, Kuusk, Paskotsi, Lilander; Vassiljev, Poom, Vastsuk; Anier, Sappinen


SM words green background

We say: Sweden 3-0 Estonia

With the attacking threat of the likes of Ibrahimovic, Isak and Emil Forsberg, coupled with a solid defensive line, this impressive Sweden side should have more than enough to pick apart a weak Estonia outfit on Wednesday.

The visitors are now 16 games without a victory in international football, and we do not see them causing an upset to put an end to that poor run.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



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Written by
Sam Varley
No Data Analysis info

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Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates a goal during the clash with Georgia on March 25, 2021
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