In a battle to avoid demotion to the UEFA Nations League's third tier, Sweden and Slovenia clash in Stockholm on Tuesday night.

The hosts must win to retain their place in League B following a disappointing Group 4 campaign to date, any other result would see the Slovenes stay up at their expense.

Match preview

© Reuters

A hangover from failing to qualify for Qatar 2022 has lingered into the autumn for 2018 World Cup quarter-finalists Sweden, as their latest Nations League outing brought with it a fourth straight defeat.

Janne Andersson's side followed an opening-day win over Slovenia with three losses during the summer - two at the hands of their Nordic rivals Norway - and were beaten for a second time by Serbia on Saturday.

Despite going in front through Viktor Claesson's early goal in Belgrade, the hosts' star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic then rattled in a hat-trick as the Swedes were consigned to a 4-1 reverse - not the ideal response to Andersson's call for a 'back-to-basics' approach.

His team have now conceded 10 times across five Nations League fixtures to date, and their long-held reputation as cautious but competent opponents seems to have been waylaid in recent months.

Previously eliminated in the playoffs for Qatar by Poland, the Blagult must now focus on pulling out all the stops to escape a demoralising demotion to Europe's third tier.

Having been relegated from League A last time around, such a fate would fuel further anguish in a nation accustomed to testing the top teams in international competition - including during that now-distant jaunt to the last eight in Russia four years ago.

© Reuters

After starting the Nations League's inaugural edition by finishing rock-bottom in their League C group with no wins from six matches, Slovenia only reached the second tier last year, by virtue of winning their section ahead of Greece.

Most pundits' outsiders to survive a competitive Group 4 this time around, they have defied expectations to take a total of four points off leaders Norway, following a 2-1 win in Ljubljana at the weekend.

Though Erling Haaland's 21st international goal put the visitors on course for promotion to League A shortly after half time, the Slovenians fought back, as strikes from potent front pair Andraz Sporar and Benjamin Sesko - the latter currently following in the footsteps of Haaland at RB Salzburg - consigned the Norwegians to a first defeat.

One of only two losses so far for Matjaz Kek's men came at home to Sweden on the opening matchday: a 2-0 reverse at Stadion Stozice also being one of just three from their last 11 all told.

They therefore head to Stockholm in with a strong chance of avoiding relegation, and their fate lies in their own hands with 90 minutes left to play.

Having endured a tough time in World Cup qualifying, where they finished fourth in their group, the world's 65th-ranked nation would consider such an achievement a considerable success, before they embark on the long road to Euro 2024.

Team News

© Reuters

As they are without Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, following his withdrawal from the squad last week, Sweden could again turn to Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres up front, but Robin Quaison is on standby to start.

Personnel changes could be afoot in other areas, though, as Janne Andersson reacts to his side's capitulation in Serbia, with Kristoffer Olsson and Anthony Elanga both pressing claims to be brought into the starting XI.

Isak Hien suffered a difficult debut on Saturday, being booked while playing a part in the defence that leaked four goals, but with Filip Helander, Carl Starfelt and Alexander Milosevic all unavailable this month, the Hellas Verona man may find himself retained at centre-back.

Meanwhile, Slovenia will have to make two enforced changes to a winning team, after Jasmin Kurtic and Andraz Sporar both received yellow cards against Norway and are therefore suspended.

Jon Stankovic and Sandi Lovric are set to fight it out for selection in place of the former, while the latter's absence might see Salzburg starlet Benjamin Sesko plough a lone furrow up front.

Alternatively, Miha Zajc or Luka Zahovic - son of the Slovenes' all-time top goalscorer Zlatko Zahovic - could support the teenager in attack.

Sweden possible starting lineup:
Olsen; Andersson, Lindelof, Hien, Augustinsson; Claesson, Olsson, Karlstrom, Forsberg; Kulusevski, Quaison

Slovenia possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Karnicnik, Bijol, Blazic, Sikosek; Stojanovic, Cerin, Stankovic, Verbic; Zajc; Sesko

We say: Sweden 2-1 Slovenia

Though they may struggle to keep a clean sheet, having conceded at a rate of two goals per game in their last five matches, Sweden can snatch League B survival on the final day. If some talented forwards can click, then the hosts will edge out a Slovenia side lacking two top players through suspension.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

Previews by email