England Under-21s face Sweden Under-21s in their second European Championship outing in Group B on Sunday knowing that defeat could see them exit the competition.
Gareth Southgate's men went down 1-0 to Portugal on Thursday in a defeat which ensured that the Young Lions have not won a game in this tournament for six years.
Sweden
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Having come from behind to beat Italy 2-1, after playing with 10 men from the 28th minute onward, it could be said that Sweden enjoyed a positive return to the competition they exited on penalties against England in the semi-final stage six years ago.
Alexander Milosevic was sent off last night before Domenico Berardi fired the Italians into a 1-0 half-time lead, but goals from John Guidetti and a late penalty from Isaac Kiese Thelin, either side of Stefano Sturaro's dismissal on 80 minutes, saw the Swedes announce their return to the tournament in winning style.
Three points is all that coach Hakan Ericson could have asked for, and the manner of victory will have significantly boosted his side's morale ahead of meeting the English.
Revenge could perhaps be among the themes of Sunday's encounter, after Sweden were denied a spot in the 2009 final by England with a penalty shootout defeat.
Worryingly for Southgate and co, this Sweden side look well capable of exacting it and victory this weekend would see Ericson's men take a step into the knockout stages and move one step closer to putting things right from 2009.
Recent form: WWWWDW
England
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After kicking off a European Championship campaign with a defeat last night, it is a case of new year, same problems for England Under-21s, who travelled to Czech Republic for this year's edition of the competition hoping to exorcise their demons following a disastrous campaign two years ago in Israel.
The Young Lions - then under Stuart Pearce - exited the tournament at the group stage after losing three successive games and scoring just once. They endured a similar campaign two years previous, where Pearce's side fell at the first hurdle and failed to pick up a single win in 2011.
Last night's clash with the Portuguese represented only their second defeat in 18 games under Southgate but it remains to be seen if the 44-year-old can get the response that eluded Pearce in years gone by.
Bullish Southgate played down the importance of recent history in his post-match press conference, but another defeat on Sunday and England could be heading home before the knockout stages once again.
Victory for Sweden - who beat their Italian counterparts 2-1 yesterday - would send the English home if Portugal beat Italy. Defeat is not an option and Southgate will know it.
Recent form: WLWWWL
Team News
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Defender Milosevic will not play a part in this weekend's clash after being sent off against the Italians. Victor Lindelof - subbed on at half time yesterday - could come in to replace the AIK man in the middle of defence.
Harry Kane is expected to lead England's forward line once more despite missing a number of promising chances in the defeat to Portugal.
Meanwhile, defender John Stones is expected to miss out once more after suffering concussion in a collision with goalkeeper Jack Butland prior to the Portugal loss.
Liam Moore and Ben Gibson are expected to continue partnering each other in the middle of the Young Lions' defence.
Sweden possible starting lineup:
Carlgren; Baffo, Lindelof, Helander, Augustinsson; Khalili, Lewicki, Hijemark, Larsson; Guidetti, Kiese Thelin
England possible starting lineup:
Butland; Jenkinson, Moore, Gibson, Garbutt; Hughes, Chalobah, Redmond, Carroll; Lingard; Kane
Head To Head
Sweden have won just one of the last five meetings between both Under-21 sides - a 1-0 victory in 1989. Since then, England won 2-0 and 3-0 in 1998 and 1999 respectively, before drawing 3-3 and eliminating the Swedes on penalties six years ago.
We say: Sweden 2-0 England
England have never been short of a bit of individual quality in these competitions but they have struggled in a team environment and we reckon that history will repeat itself on Sunday. The manner of Sweden's win over Italy illustrated just how resilient Ericson's troops are and we believe that a relatively straightforward win is on the cards.
Shane Callaghan
Spain U21s
