After all the drama on the first day of quarterfinals, which set the stage for a Belgium-France face-off in the semis, all eyes are on the two matches to be played on Saturday. England and Sweden will take on each other to decide who will face the winner of Croatia vs Russia match in the second semi-final next week.
From what we have seen so far, neither England, nor Sweden has looked very convincing as they have just scraped through to the quarter-finals.
England have so far rode on Harry Kane’s individual brilliance as he has scored six goals, leading the race for the golden boot. On the other hand, Sweden have performed like a well oiled defensive machine, keeping three clean sheets in four matches.
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England are clearly the favorites to go through but Sweden can surprise everyone once again with their solid defence.
Sweden’s captain Andreas Granqvist has been their standout player so far, and he will take it upon himself to stop Harry Kane and Co. in the battle of the opposites.
England
This is considered to be 1966 champions England’s best chance to reach the final once again.
Thanks to the failure of the reigning champions Germany, and England themselves finishing second in the group, they have been given an easy path to the finals as compared to group winners Belgium.
Following their victory against Colombia, they will take on Sweden tonight hoping to qualify for their first World Cup semi-final since 1990. If they win tonight, they will take on Croatia/Russia to qualify for their first World Cup final since 1966.
Harry Kane will lead the English attack once again. Raheem Sterling is expected to start again along with Kane , but after a string of disappointing performances, Man United youngster Marcus Rashford may come in his place.
After impressive performances against Colombia, England are expected to field an unchanged midfield. Jordan Henderson will play the number 6 role with Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli playing just behind Kane and Sterling.
England play with five defenders and it will remain the same. John Stones and Harry Maguire will start as the centre-backs after solid performances against Colombia with Ashley Young and Kieran Trippier starting as the full-backs. Star from last match, Jordan Pickford, will start between the sticks.
Sweden play a very physical game and both Sterling and Rashford may be easily dispossessed by their defenders. Jamie Vardy may be brought on after the 60 minute mark, to fight fire with fire. Also, If Harry Kane keeps up his fine form, it may actually come home.
Talking Corner “You have to enjoy the good moments, but I am a long way from perfect, there are plenty of mistakes we have made while we have been here and we will make moving forward, so I think it is dangerous territory if we get carried away with things,”
– England Manager Gareth Southgate
Injury Concerns: None
Suspensions: None
Likely starting 11 (5-3-2): Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Young, Henderson, Alli, Lingard, Sterling, Kane
Sweden
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the first name that comes to mind when we think of the Swedish national team but he was left out for this World Cup and the team has fully justified that decision.
This is the first time Sweden have qualified for the quarter-final since 1994 and they might even reach the semi-final.
This Swedish side does not boast of many star players like other sides, but they always have a plan and they stick to it. They like to defend with all their might and go forward only on counter-attacks. With fast players Emil Forsberg and Ola Toivonen, they can afford this luxury.
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Robin Olsen will start in goal once again, having kept three clean sheets in four matches. Man United star Victor Lindelof and captain Andreas Granqvist will start in front of him as the centre-backs.
Albin Ekdal will hold the midfield together with the support of his compatriots Viktor Claesson and Gustav Svensson. Star player Emil Forberg will also start in the middle but he is more of a winger than a midfielder.
Experienced striking duo of Marcus Berg and Ola Toivonen will start as the two strikers.
Sweden have a golden opportunity to reach the Semi-final and they will need to stop England’s captain Harry Kane if they want to have any chance of defeating England. Victor Lindelof and Granqvist will have to be up to the task against Kane.
Talking Corner “We have been very strong on set-pieces but this is one of England’s strengths as well and they have Harry Kane, who is really dangerous in the penalty box.
“We need to be very strong in the box and make sure they don’t get the service they need.
“He is incredibly skilled, not just on penalties, but as a striker – he is good at everything.
– Sweden Captain Andreas Granqvist
Injury Concerns: Jimmy Durmaz (hip)
Suspensions: None
Likely starting 11 (4-4-2): Olsen, Krafth, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Claesson, Svensson, Ekdal, Forsberg, Berg, Toivonen
Super Stats:
England and Sweden have met each other 24 times, and things are very close with eight English wins, nine draws and seven Swedish successes.
England and Sweden have twice met at the World Cup, with both the matches ending in a draw. (1-1 in 2002 in South Korea and 2-2 in 2006 in Germany)