In the context of the UEFA Natinos League, Russia and Sweden face each other on Thursday-evening in Kaliningrad. Sweden started the Nations League with a reload, while Russia won.
Russia:
Russia had the honor to organize the last World Cup. In the country itself there was a lot of cynicism before the tournament – the team with limited qualities would have nothing to do with the final round. However, it did better than most people expected. Russia came through the group stage, and eliminated Spain after penalties in the eighth finals. In the quarter finals, the Russian fairy tale came to an end. Again there was a penalty shootout against Croatia. Only Russia failed to win a second penalty series. The quadrilateral was the end station.
Last month, Russia still showed the momentum of the World Cup. For the Nations League, the Russians won 1-2 in Turkey from Trabzon. The Czech Republic was also defeated in a friendly game; with no less than 5-1. In comparison with that duel, an important force is back again. Aleksandr Golovin is available again, after a period of absence. He did not start great at his new club AS Monaco. The matches with the national team are an opportunity to find the form. Aleksandr Erokhin is not in the selection for the upcoming matches.
Sweden:
Sweden also came into action at the World Cup this year. The Scandinavians managed to survive the group stage, with victories in South Korea and Mexico. The eighth final was also won, from Switzerland (1-0). With result football, the country had kicked it to the eighth finals. Here, however, it stopped. England was even better at playing result football, and they sent Sweden home. With the available players, the place was a big achievement in the last eight.
National coach Janne Andersson wants to continue on the same path. Last month it was not entirely satisfactory. Van Oostenrijk was lost in a friendly game, and four days later it went wrong in the Nations League. In Solna, Sweden lost 2-3 to Turkey, after it had been 2-0 ahead. Compared to the two matches of last month, an important player is also present at Sweden. Emil Forsberg did not start completely fit to this new season, but is now back on level. Normally he starts in the base on Thursday. Andreas Granqvist – who was very important at the World Championships – can also be used again.
PREDICTION: BTS / NO @ 1.78
