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[monks data]
Sweden national football team
Friendlies 1
Jan 9, 2023 at 6.45pm UK
Estádio Do Algarve
Finland national football team

Sweden
2 - 0
Finland

Nyman (38'), Asoro (90+3')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Ivanov (29')

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

Sports Mole previews Monday's friendly clash between Sweden and Finland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sweden take on Finland in an international friendly match at Estadio Algarve, Portugal, on Monday.

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


Match preview

Sweden coach Janne Andersson on March 29, 2022© Reuters

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 playoff 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's Joel Pohjanpalo celebrates scoring their first goal against Denmark at Euro 2020 on June 12, 2021© Reuters

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):

Finland form (all competitions):



Team News

Finland coach Markku Kanerva on May 29, 2021© Reuters

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


SM words green background

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.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win 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.Home Win:data


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Game History

How you voted: Sweden vs Finland

Sweden
67.4%
Draw
19.6%
Finland
13.0%
46
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