Match Previews
World Cup 2018
Round 1/8 Final
Sweden
Last updated: Tue 03 July 2018 09:57Sweden thumped Mexico on Wednesday. Larsson is banned. Ekdal a doubt. Johansson did not travel.
Sweden secured their place in the last 16 of the World Cup, winning the group thanks to a stunning 3-0 win over Mexico. Ludwig Augustinsson and Andreas Granqvist were both on the scoresheet, while there was also an own goal.
They were extremely efficient in front of goal and once more turned in a superb defensive performance. Mexico created only a couple of scoring chances, while they looked in total command of the game.
The Swedes had won their opening game against South Korea 1-0 thanks to another Granqvist penalty, while they had lost 2-1 to Germany.
Sebastian Larsson picked up a head knock and will have to have that assessed over the coming days. Furthermore, he is suspended after being booked. Oscar Hiljemark or Gustav Svensson will take his place, two "good options", says the coach.
Albin Ekdal is a further concern after picking up a knock, while Jakub Johansson did not travel with the squad due to injury.
Sweden play in a very similar manner no matter which opponent they come up against. They will offer a 4-4-2 formation and seek to get the ball forward rapidly to their forwards, who will try to dominate the game with their aerial play and physique.
Switzerland drew 1-1 with Sweden the last time they met, back in March 2002.
Switzerland
Last updated: Tue 03 July 2018 08:09A late goal condemned Switzerland to a draw with Costa Rica, but they still finished second in their group. Fabian Schar and Stephan Lichtsteiner are both suspended.
The Swiss came ever so close to finishing their group level on points with Brazil, but a late goal forced them to settle for a 2:2 draw with Costa Rica, taking their tally to five points.
Vladimir Petkovic's men have therefore made the knockout stage of the competition with a solitary win over Serbia and draws against Costa Rica and Brazil. They have frequently made the knock-out stages in recent competitions, but will now be hoping to make a step further and progress deeper into the tournament.
Fabian Schar and Stephan Lichtsteiner both picked up their second bookings of the tournament against Costa Rica and are therefore suspended. Johan Djorou and Michael Lang are likely to start in their places.
Petkovic has no new injury issues to deal with.
The Swiss have reached the round of 16 in four of the last five World Cups they have participated in. However, they have not reached the quarter finals since 1954.
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4-4-2 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| R. Olsen | |||
| M. Lustig | |||
| A. Granqvist | |||
| V. Lindelof | |||
| L. Augustinsson | |||
| V. Claesson | |||
| G. Svensson | |||
| A. Ekdal | |||
| E. Forsberg | |||
| M. Berg | |||
| O. Toivonen |
4-2-3-1 Previous Line Ups
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y. Sommer | |||
| M. Lang | |||
| J. Djourou | |||
| M. Akanji | |||
| R. Rodriguez | |||
| G Xhaka | |||
| V. Behrami | |||
| X Shaquiri | |||
| B. Dzemaili | |||
| S. Zuber | |||
| M. Gavranovic |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| K. Johnsson | |||
| K. Nordfeldt | |||
| M. Olsson | |||
| F. Helander | |||
| E. Krafth | |||
| P. Jansson | |||
| O. Hiljemark | |||
| M. Rohden | |||
| J. Durmaz | |||
| J. Guidetti | |||
| I. Thelin |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| R. Burki | |||
| Y. Mvogo | |||
| N. Elvedi | |||
| J. Moubandje | |||
| D. Zakaria | |||
| G. Fernandes | |||
| R. Freuler | |||
| B Embolo | |||
| J. Drmic | |||
| H. Seferovic |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| R. Olsen | |||
| M. Lustig | |||
| A. Granqvist | |||
| V. Lindelof | |||
| L. Augustinsson | |||
| V. Claesson | |||
| G. Svensson | |||
| A. Ekdal | |||
| E. Forsberg | |||
| M. Berg | |||
| O. Toivonen |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| K. Johnsson | |||
| K. Nordfeldt | |||
| M. Olsson | |||
| F. Helander | |||
| E. Krafth | |||
| P. Jansson | |||
| O. Hiljemark | |||
| M. Rohden | |||
| J. Durmaz | |||
| J. Guidetti | |||
| I. Thelin |
Switzerland
Last updated: Tue 03 July 2018 08:09A late goal condemned Switzerland to a draw with Costa Rica, but they still finished second in their group. Fabian Schar and Stephan Lichtsteiner are both suspended.
The Swiss came ever so close to finishing their group level on points with Brazil, but a late goal forced them to settle for a 2:2 draw with Costa Rica, taking their tally to five points.
Vladimir Petkovic's men have therefore made the knockout stage of the competition with a solitary win over Serbia and draws against Costa Rica and Brazil. They have frequently made the knock-out stages in recent competitions, but will now be hoping to make a step further and progress deeper into the tournament.
Fabian Schar and Stephan Lichtsteiner both picked up their second bookings of the tournament against Costa Rica and are therefore suspended. Johan Djorou and Michael Lang are likely to start in their places.
Petkovic has no new injury issues to deal with.
The Swiss have reached the round of 16 in four of the last five World Cups they have participated in. However, they have not reached the quarter finals since 1954.
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| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y. Sommer | |||
| M. Lang | |||
| J. Djourou | |||
| M. Akanji | |||
| R. Rodriguez | |||
| G Xhaka | |||
| V. Behrami | |||
| X Shaquiri | |||
| B. Dzemaili | |||
| S. Zuber | |||
| M. Gavranovic |
| Player | Rat. | Pos. | No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| R. Burki | |||
| Y. Mvogo | |||
| N. Elvedi | |||
| J. Moubandje | |||
| D. Zakaria | |||
| G. Fernandes | |||
| R. Freuler | |||
| B Embolo | |||
| J. Drmic | |||
| H. Seferovic |