Nothing less than a win will do for Sweden in the bid to keep their Euro 2024 Qualifying bid alive against Belgium on Monday.
Sweden will need a win to keep their faltering hopes of Euro 2024 Qualification alive when they travel to the King Baudouin Stadium to take on Group F leaders Belgium on Monday night.
The visitors have picked up just six points from their opening five games, leaving them seven points adrift of Austria in the second spot. Dropping points on Monday will more or less see the Swedes miss out on yet another major tournament.
Janne Andersson’s men will need a win against Belgium, but it will be easier said than done. Inconsistency has been their bane in what has been a disappointing qualifying campaign for the Scandinavians. Even a win might not be enough unless Austria slips up against Azerbaijan.
Belgium, on the other hand, are unbeaten in their six games so far and are the favourites to finish top. While their qualification is guaranteed, Domenico Tedesco will not want his side to down their tools. Momentum will be key, especially for a side who failed to capitalise on their golden generation.
Belgium won the return leg 3-0 on opening day, a result that set the tone for both teams in their qualifying bids. Sweden missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup and now are on the verge of failing to qualify for a second major international tournament.
Andersson’s men will face Estonia and Azerbaijan in their final two games. While they will be expected to gain maximum points from the final two games, it should count for little unless results go their way on Monday. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on Sunday and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Belgium
Ohh Kevin Mirallas 🎶
Let’s sing along one more time before the Sweden game. pic.twitter.com/WVX7mdQ55j
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) October 15, 2023
Domenico Tedesco took over a Belgium side reeling from their stunning group-stage exit from the FIFA World Cup last year. The post-Roberto Martinez era has gotten off to an excellent start with the Red Devils winning six of the seven games.
They will now hope to wrap up the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on a high. Belgium secured their spot in next summer’s Championship following their 3-2 win against Austria last time around. Unlike Janne Andersson, Tedesco will have the option to rotate his squad on Monday night. They will be without Amadou Onana, who is suspended following his sending-off last time around.
Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne are dealing with long-term injuries, while Leandro Trossard and Ameen Al-Dakhil both withdrew due to injuries. Goalkeeper Koen Casteels is also not in the fray after he was sent home owing to illness.
A 4-3-3 formation is the flavour of the day with Matz Sels in goal. He will be protected by the back four of Timothy Castagne, Wout Faes, Jan Vertonghen, and Arthur Theate.
Orel Mangala is expected to hold the fort in midfield, with Youri Tielemans and Arthur Vermeeren playing further forward. An in-form Romelu Lukaku should retain his spot upfront with Jeremy Doku and Dodi Lukebakio providing the width.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Sels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Mangala, Vermeeren; Lukebakio, Lukaku, Doku
Sweden
Janne Andersson is looking at the potential ruins of a campaign that will once again see the Scandinavian miss out on a major international tournament.
Belgium are a step ahead of their opponents on the night and showcased that gulf in the opening day thrashing in Sweden. The Scandinavians will have their work cut out to go to Belgium and come away with all three points that are needed to keep their bleak hopes alive.
Having seen a largely rotated side sweep Moldova aside in the friendly earlier this week, Sweden will be expected to play their strongest XI on Monday night. Belgium are expected to rotate their players but will still go into the game as favourites.
🇸🇪🛫🔜🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/5zI0JTfTeQ
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) October 15, 2023
Andersson is likely to go with a 4-4-2 formation with Robin Olsen in goal. He will be protected by the defensive quartet of Linus Wahlqvist, Victor Lindelof, Gustaf Lagerbielke, and Ludwig Augustinsson.
Albin Ekdal and Kristoffer Olsson should hold the fort in the middle of the park, giving Dejan Kulusevski and Emil Forsberg the freedom to push forward on the wings. Viktor Gyokeres and Viktor Claesson should lead the attack in the absence of Alexander Isak.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Olsen; Wahlqvist, Lindelof, Lagerbielke, Augustinsson; Kulusevski, Ekdal, K. Olsson, Forsberg; Claesson, Gyokeres
Key Stats
- Sweden could miss out on the Euros for the first time since 1996.
- Belgium’s best finish in the tournament was a second-place result in the 1980 edition while Sweden made it all the way to the semifinal stage in 1992.
- Both teams have faced off 16 times so far, with Sweden winning just five encounters. Belgium have won nine of those games with the remaining two ending in a draw.
- Belgium have kept a clean sheet against Sweden in their last three clashes across all competitions.
- Belgium are on a four-game winning streak against Sweden across all competitions
Player to Watch
Dejan Kulusevski
The Swedish attacker has been in top form for Tottenham Hotspur and will be keen to step up when his country needs him to. With Alexander Isak out, Kulusevski and Emil Forsberg represent the visitors’ best hopes of breaching the Belgian backline and will need to be at their best on the night. A tricky player with excellent ball control, Kulusevski going up against Arthur Theate should prove to be an exciting contest.
Prediction
Belgium 2-0 Sweden
Despite being likely to field a weaker side, Belgium have strength in reserve to make life difficult for Sweden. The visitors have no option but to push forward, leaving gaps open at the back for the Red Devils to exploit. Sweden could start out on the front foot but Belgium’s quality should shine through in the end and earn them all three points.
