Nations League | League C

Oct 11, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Stadion Tehelne pole

Slovakia vs Sweden

Match preview

As the new Nations League campaign got underway in early September, Slovakia were back in action for the first time since bowing out of Euro 2024 in dramatic fashion. They lost to England, the eventual finalists, in the last 16.

Before reaching the knockout phase, the Falcons had beaten Belgium and drawn with Romania, so they still had some positive momentum going into last month's games against less challenging opponents.

Their mission to secure promotion to League B began with a hard-fought win against Estonia in Tallinn. The only goal of the game was scored by Hellas Verona forward Tomas Suslov during the second half.

They followed that up with a 2-0 win against Azerbaijan in Košice, where another Verona player, Ondrej Duda, scored from the penalty spot before David Strelec made it 2-0 and sealed the win for Slovakia.

After failing to challenge for a place in Europe's second tier during the 2022-23 season, Francesco Calzona's side are on track for at least a playoff when this year's group phase finishes.

If they want to beat Sweden and take the top spot, they'll have to end their losing streak against Friday's opponents. Slovakia haven't won any of their previous six meetings, with their most recent loss coming at the Euro 2020 finals.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side are sitting alongside their next hosts on six points, having cruised past their first two Nations League challengers without conceding a goal.

After losing three out of four friendly matches at the start of his tenure, new Blagult boss Tomasson eased the pressure by recording back-to-back competitive wins in September. He followed up a 3-1 success in Azerbaijan with a comprehensive home win three days later.

Viktor Gyokeres, who has been on fire for Sporting Lisbon, found the net twice in Solna. Alexander Isak, his strike partner, also got on the scoresheet for the third time this season. The Swedes were in cruise control for the rest of the game.

After being demoted from League B in 2023, Sweden is already the favourite to be back in the top flight next season. If they win Group 1, they could even get a place in the World Cup playoffs.

If they win all their games this month, they'll be in a great position to claim the top spot. But they've lost three of their last four away games, so it won't be easy when they play at Stadion Telhene Pole.

Recent Performance

Slovakia Nations League form:WW

Slovakia form (all competitions):WLDLWW

Sweden Nations League form:WW

Sweden form (all competitions):LWLLWW

Injuries and suspensions

Slovakia

19 Juraj Kucka

26 Ivan Schranz

Sweden

- Eric Smith

10 Gustaf Nilsson

Possible starting lineups

Slovakia(4-3-3)

1Dúbravka(GK)

6Gyömbér(DR)

14Skriniar(DC)

4Obert(DC)

16Hancko(DL)

10László Bénes(MC)

22Lobotka(MC)

8Duda(MC)

7Suslov(FWR)

15Strelec(FW)

17Haraslín(FWL)

Sweden(3-4-1-2)

12Johansson(GK)

5Gudmundsson(DC)

4Hien(DC)

2Douglas(DC)

16Eliasson(MR)

14Salétros(MC)

18Ayari(MC)

13Sema(ML)

21Kulusevski(AMC)

9Isak(FW)

17Gyökeres(FW)