Ahead of their upcoming European Championship campaign, Sweden will welcome fellow finalists Finland to Stockholm's Friends Arena on Saturday.
The Nordic neighbours meet in an international friendly fixture, which provides a valuable warm-up for next month's main event.
Match preview
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Despite recently receiving the unwelcome news that star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic's comeback on the international scene has been curtailed by a knee injury sustained playing for Milan, his Sweden teammates are set to tackle the Euros in characteristically whole-hearted style.
First, though they must limber up by taking on tournament debutants Finland and Armenia in friendlies on home soil.
The 2018 World Cup quarter-finalists will come into Saturday's game following a 1-0 win over Estonia in their last international engagement, last March, when an early goal from veteran striker Marcus Berg ensured victory for Janne Andersson's side: a third consecutive success, following back-to-back wins from their opening two World Cup qualifiers.
With expectations relatively high at home, the Blagult (Blue and Yellows) have already named a strong squad for the upcoming challenge of facing Spain, Slovakia and Poland for a place in the Euros' last-16, with RB Leipzig forward Emil Forsberg, powerful Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski and striker Alexander Isak, of Real Sociedad, among the men set to strike fear into the Finnish back line this weekend.
They will undoubtedly be strong favourites, as in the two countries' eight meetings so far this century, Sweden have lost only once. Significantly, though, that defeat came in their last encounter: a 1-0 reverse in January 2019 and - since they effectively beat the Finns 7-1 on aggregate during qualifying for Euro 2012 - the once yawning gap between the pair has certainly started to narrow.
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After nearly a century of waiting, Finland are finally set to make their debut at the finals of a major tournament next month, as they prepare for a steep challenge in Group B of Euro 2020.
The Finns will start away to local rivals Denmark in Copenhagen, before two matches in St Petersburg - versus hosts Russia on June 16 and then Belgium on June 21.
Although even claiming a third-placed finish in such a section may be beyond Markku Kanerva's modest side, their mere presence among the elite will be lauded by success-starved followers, after qualification for the tournament was ultimately clinched back in November 2019, as the Eagle-Owls finished second in qualifying Group J behind runaway winners Italy.
Top scorer Teemu Pukki finished the campaign with a total of 10 goals, at a time when the former Schalke striker's impressive exploits in England had earned him the praise of Norwich City fans and neutrals alike. Though his form has fluctuated since, Pukki remains Finland's go-to man in the final third, but there are several others to keep a close eye on.
Sweden will also need to be wary of dynamic Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara and up-and-coming talents such as 21-year-old Onni Valakari. The latter scored on his international debut versus France last November, firing home a superb long-range effort as Finland stunned the world champions in Paris.
More recently, however, they lost 3-2 to Switzerland in their most recent outing, at the end of March. A first-half brace from Union Berlin striker Joel Pohjanpalo went unrewarded, but there was further proof that Kanerva's men can compete among at least the continent's second-tier sides.
Having already surpassed the achievements of Finland's 'golden generation', which featured star names like Jari Litmanen and Sami Hyypia but never reached a major tournament, the current Eagle-Owls will look to keep shattering glass ceilings this summer - starting with another away triumph against their traditionally dominant local rivals this Saturday.
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Team News
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Due to his participation in the Europa League final earlier this week, Sweden centre-back Victor Lindelof is set to be rested on Saturday, while Brentford's Pontus Jansson will instead be engaged in the Championship playoff decider at Wembley. Therefore, Rangers defender Filip Helander could be joined by Joakim Nilsson at the heart of the hosts' defence.
Young midfielder Matthias Svanberg has impressed in Serie A this season, so will hope for a pre-Euros opportunity to add to his seven caps so far, while Jordan Larsson - son of national icon Henrik - is in contention to start up front, in the much-lamented absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Goalkeeper Robin Olsen has lost his place to Kristoffer Nordfeldt in recent times, due to his inactivity at Everton, but has greater tournament experience and may get a chance to prove his worth to Janne Andersson this weekend.
For the visitors', meanwhile, Barnsley defender Aapo Halme has received his maiden call-up to the senior squad and could earn a first cap at some stage. Previously captain of the Finnish under-21 side, he has been involved in the training camp, but is not expected to start.
Also named in the Finland squad are fellow England-based colleagues Teemu Pukki, goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola of Bristol Rovers and QPR defender Nicholas Hamalainen - all of whom are possible selections from a 26-man squad. However, Marcus Forss is occupied with Brentford's quest to make the Premier League and misses out.
As ever, 34-year-old skipper Tim Sparv is expected to lead the Finns onto the field, winning an 81st cap in the process.
Sweden possible starting lineup:
Olsen; Krafth, Helander, Nilsson, M. Olsson; Kulusevski, Ekdal, Larsson, Forsberg; Quaison, Isak
Finland possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Arajuuri, Ojala, O'Shaughnessy, Uronen; Valakari, Lam, Sparv, Lappalainen; Pukki, Riski
We say: Sweden 1-0 Finland
An encounter likely to be closely fought out by two teams with a similar approach to the game - but with the hosts expected to take the impetus - may be light on goals.
Indeed, with second-half substitutions and possible pre-tournament experimentation, this could turn into a disjointed affair, from which Sweden can claim the win courtesy of their greater final-third firepower.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
