In the final round of an intriguing Group E to Euro 2020, leaders Sweden look to secure the point that would take them to the round of 16 on Wednesday, as they meet Poland in St. Petersburg.

Although the Swedes will improve if they simply avoid defeat, their opponents must win to snatch a place in the top two, having collected a lone point in their first two games.

Match preview

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Thanks to two characteristic performances in the opening rounds, Sweden are assured of qualifying for the knockout stage of a European Championship for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals 17 years ago, if it manages to keep Poland tied at the Krestovski Stadium.

However, should Janne AnderssonThe men’s lose and the other match – between Spain and Slovakia – ends in a draw they could theoretically miss. Realistically, however, being top of the group with four points – after their first goalless draw against Spain with a 1-0 loss to Slovakia last time around – means the pressure is released before the game.

Currently competing in their sixth consecutive continental final, the Blagults’ success last week may have been just the second win of their last ten Euro outings, but it also extended an unbeaten calendar year to seven. matches and more.

Although he is the midfielder of RB Leipzig Emil Forsberg who sent the winning penalty late, replaces Robin quaison also played a key role in Sweden’s relentless victory – forcing a penalty shortly after leaving the bench – while Alexandre isak was named UEFA’s Star of the Match after previously shining and hitting the post against Spain.

The youngest player to score a senior international goal for the Nordic nation, Isak has so far taken on the daunting challenge of replacing Sweden’s totemic talisman. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was ruled out this summer due to injury.

On Wednesday it will again be the young striker’s task to break through the Polish defense, as Andersson’s side aim to advance by finishing winners of their group, which would allow them to advance to the last 16 with the one of the third nations.

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Keeping the hopes of his nation alive, Robert lewandowski became the first Polish player to score in three European Championships thanks to his brilliant header equalizer in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against group-favorite Spain after scoring a goal in both last tournaments.

The Bayern Munich striker’s 67th goal in 121 international appearances – both domestic records – helped the Eagles salvage their first point in the final, but their results so far leave them with a lot of work to do.

A first 2-1 loss to Slovakia and this determined draw against Spain means that the head coach Paulo sousaThe winless streak has grown to five, with just one victory on record in their last nine games – a routine 3-0 home win over Andorra in March. The Portuguese tactician’s tactical tinkering has proved unsuccessful since his appointment in place of the former boss Jerzy brzeczek earlier this year, after the latter led the team safely through qualifying.

Nonetheless, as Spain currently sit third in the table with two points – while the Poles are one point further down – Sousa and his company will move up to second if they can return Sweden and the other game of the group E is not drawn. In fact, if Poland wins and the Spain-Slovakia game ends in a draw, they may even win the hotly contested section.

Appearing in their fourth consecutive final, the Eagles had never won a Euro match until they qualified for the first time in eight five years ago in France. To maintain a chance of replicating that feat in this edition of the event, they will have to reverse the precedent against a stubborn Swedish side, as this will be the 27th meeting of the nations – their opponents having won 14, including the last five.

Form of the Swedish European Championship:

Sweden form (all competitions):

European Championship form Poland:

Poland form (all competitions):

Team news

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Before 90 crucial minutes for Poland, they will be supported by the return of the midfielder pivot Grzegorz Krychowiak suspension, after missing the draw with Spain due to an expulsion in the opening match.

Or that of Leeds United Mateusz Klich or Jakub Moder of Brighton should therefore give way, with Piotr Zielinski ready to continue as the man of connection between the midfielder and the attack.

At week-end, Kacper Kozlowski became – at the age of 17 years and 246 days – the youngest participant in a European Championship finals when he came off the bench against Spain: a record had been set six days earlier by the England team Jude bellingham. The Pogon Szczecin starlet is set to make an impact once again as a second-half substitute.

With captain Robert Lewandowski’s two favorite punching partners – both Krzysztof Piatek and Arkadiusz Milik – being excluded from the action before a ball is kicked in this summer’s main event, Karol swiderski is once again set to start as part of the Polish top duo in Sousa’s 3-5-2 lineup.

Sweden, meanwhile, are unchanged from their opening draw with their backs to the wall last time around, and are expected to retain most of the opening XI again on Wednesday.

There have been calls in Swedish media for Mainz striker Robin Quaison to replace the veteran target man Marcus Berg in the lineup, but Janne Andersson will almost certainly put her squad in place in their proven 4-4-2 lineup, with Alexander Isak being joined up front by Berg.

Last week the two Dejan Koulusevski and Mattias Svanberg have been allowed to resume action after self-isolating with COVID-19, and the former is another serious contender to make an impact early on when given the chance.

Possible starting eleven for Sweden:
Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Danielson, Augustinsson; S. Larsson, Olsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Isak, Berg

Possible starting eleven for Poland:
Szczesny; Bereszynski, Bednarek, Glik; Jozwiak, Moder, Krychowiak, Zielinski, Puchacz; Swiderski, Lewandowski

We say: Sweden 1-1 Poland

Although both teams are often prosaic in their approach, Poland’s growing confidence and greater desire to seal victory should be enough to shatter a steadfast Swedish rearguard.

Nonetheless, the Swedes are once again a tough defensive proposition and have barely lost in recent months for good reason – their handful of attacking talent can therefore help snatch a point from the clock, to confirm progress to the next stage.