Sweden vs England - World Cup 2018 Preview and Odds

Published on: 07/07/2018

Sweden vs England - World Cup 2018 Preview and Odds

July 07, 2018 17:00pm - Cosmos Arena

World Cup Russia 2018 - Quarter-final

England will look to reach a World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1990 when they take on Sweden in Samara on Saturday afternoon. Their opponents last featured in a semi-final in 1994 when they eventually finished third.

Gareth Southgate`s men will start as favourites but they have already stressed the importance on not underestimating a side who qualified for the tournament at the expense of Netherlands and Italy before topping a group that included reigning champions Germany.

With both teams having already exceeded expectations, the players might feel less pressure at this stage, although the nerves will still be jangling. And with many big sides already out of the competition, this represents a great opportunity for either nation to go all the way to the final.

Sweden have been one of the hardest working teams in the tournament and England will need to be at their best to break them down. South Korea, Mexico and Switzerland all failed to score against the Swedes with only Germany have scored against them so far.

The sense of calm around the England camp has been retained but they now carry the confidence that comes from winning a World Cup penalty shootout for the first ever time. That could give them a vital mental edge if things go down to the wire again.

Sweden will line up with two banks of four and two up front and set out to frustrate Englands fluid style of play. However, as they have proved in this tournament, their defensive prowess is matched by their efficiency up front where they are capable of creating goal scoring opportunities from limited possession.

Gareth Southgate may decide to tweak things a little but a change of shape or approach is unlikely for the Three Lions. They will look to use their pace and movement the wear down the opposition and create spaces. Players such as Sterling and Alli will be key to achieving this.

Sweden predicted starting XI:

Olsen, Krafth, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg, Toivonen, Berg

Belgium predicted starting XI:

Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Young, Lingard, Henderson, Alli, Trippier, Sterling, Kane

Recent Form (All comps)

Sweden: WWLWD

England: DLWWW

Betting odds and tips

The way these teams set up should see England claim the bulk of possession. If they can make use of it, they should come out on top but it is likely to be a tight game with perhaps just one goal settling it. Expect a disciplined performance from both sides with England prevailing without conceding.

You can back England to Win to Nil at 7/4.

By Neil Morris