Two sides hoping to qualify from Group G go head to head in a Euro 2016 qualifier this weekend as Russia host Sweden.

The visitors are currently second in the group, while Leonid Slutsky's side are third, just four points behind this weekend's opponents.

Russia

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Leonid Slutsky takes charge of Russia for the first time since being named as Fabio Capello's successor last month. Capello was sacked in July, while Slutsky has only been appointed until the end of the qualifying campaign, giving him four matches to make an impression.

The hosts of the 2018 World Cup have been in mixed form in their qualifying campaign, with two wins, two draws and two defeats from their opening six fixtures. Both losses have come against group leaders Austria, including a 1-0 defeat in their last outing.

One of Russia's wins came over Montenegro, but the side were awarded a 3-0 victory by default following crowd trouble. Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev was struck by a flare just moments after kickoff back in March, while further problems continued when the referee tried to get the match back underway.

Russia have been relatively productive in front of goal while trying to secure a place in Euro 2016, scoring nine times, just two goals fewer than the group leaders, but they have conceded four times, which is twice as often as Austria.

Russia have not failed to qualify for a European Championships since 2000, when they finished just a point behind neighbours Ukraine in their qualifying group. They had turned their form around for Euro 2008 though, reaching the semi-finals of the tournament before losing to eventual champions Spain.

A good performance against Sweden could spark a strong finish to the campaign for Russia, as they face Liechtenstein, Moldova and Montenegro in their remaining fixtures, keeping them in contention for one of the automatic qualification places.

Recent form: WDDLWL

Sweden

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Sweden know that victory over Russia will put them seven points clear of the third-placed side in Group G, all but guaranteeing that they will qualify for next year's tournament in France.

Erik Hamren's side remain unbeaten after the first six fixtures of the qualifying campaign, but have been held to draws in three matches, including their first outing against Russia.

Sweden have won their most recent two qualifiers though, including a 2-0 victory over Moldova in March, despite finishing the game a player short after Andreas Granqvist was sent off late on.

It will be a tricky week for Sweden, who face group leaders Austria just three days after this tie. If they can avoid defeat to Russia and secure four points from the two matches, Russia will not be able to catch them for second place.

The form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be key for the visitors. The Paris Saint-Germain striker has netted braces in their last two qualifiers, and has five of their 10 goals from the six qualifiers so far.

Sweden have not failed to qualify for the European Championships since 1996, but have progressed from the group stage of the tournament just once since hosting the event in 1992, when they made it to the semi-finals. The team missed out on a place in last year's World Cup though, losing to Portugal in a playoff.

Recent form: DDWDWW

Team News

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Sweden have named just one uncapped player in their squad for their upcoming matches against Russia and Austria, including midfielder Abdul Khalili of Turkish side Mersin Idmanyurdu for the first time.

Slutsky remains in charge of CSKA Moscow while coaching the Russian national side, but could face one of his own players, as Pontus Wernbloom is in line to pick up his 48th cap for Sweden.

The Russian coach has included five of his club players in his squad for this match though, including keeper Akinfeev, who was struck by a flare earlier this year, and defender Sergei Ignashevich, who could make his 109th appearance for the team.

While Sweden's squad play across Europe, all but one of the players in Slutsky's side play in their home nation, so will have seven weeks of club football in their legs. Real Madrid midfielder Denis Cheryshev is the only member of the Russia squad to play overseas.

Midfielder Kim Kallstrom will be missing for Sweden, having picked up three yellow cards so far, while Martin Olsson is a doubt through injury.

Russia possible starting lineup:
Akinfeev, Ignashevich, Berezutski, Zhirkov, Berezutski, Denisov, Shirokov, Shatov, Cheryshev, Kokorin, Smolov

Sweden possible starting lineup:
Isaksson, Bengtsson, Granqvist, Wendy, Antonsson, Larsson, Ekdal, Wernbloom, Durmaz, Ibrahimovic, Toivonen

Head To Head

When the sides met early in the qualifying campaign last October, Sweden came from behind to share a 1-1 draw with this weekend's hosts, although Akinfeev did save an early penalty from Sebastian Larsson.

This will be just the seventh meeting between the two countries. In the six previous matches, both sides have won twice, while sharing two draws.

Russia's last win over Sweden was during the group stage of Euro 2008, while Sweden have not beaten this weekend's opponents since the group stage of the 1994 World Cup, securing a 3-1 win in Detroit.

We say: Russia 1-2 Sweden

Russia may have held Sweden in their first match, but the visitors have talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic back for this encounter. Russia will be keen to impress under new coach Leonid Slutsky, particularly in front of their home fans, but Sweden's form has improved as the qualifying campaign has progressed, and they should have enough to secure the win this time.

Written by
Sian Cowper

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