The international year comes to an end on Tuesday night when England welcome Sweden to Wembley for what will be the last game before the build-up to Euro 2012 really begins. Having beaten Spain on Saturday, England’s players will be confident but would do well not to underestimate the Swedes (9/2, England 4/6, draw 13/5).
For many England supporters Saturday night might have been a bittersweet one. While the result and some aspects of the performance will give those who follow the Three Lions hope, there will be others who point to the flaws in their performance. Spain controlled the game from minute one and to see an England side dominated so much at Wembley might have come as a shock to those supporters still living on former glories.
The result papers over the cracks somewhat but Fabio Capello will hope beating the reigning world and European champions will give his England side the confidence boost they need to kick on. The only worry might be England becoming over confident thanks to the win and looking beyond a dangerous Sweden team.
Erik Hamren’s men qualified for Euro 2012 as the best runners-up from the group stage, finishing behind the Netherlands. The Swedes were the only team to take points off the Dutch, beating them 3-2 as they ended up with 24 points from a possible 30 in qualification.
Hamren has a decent squad at his disposal as well, lead by the mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The AC Milan striker blows hot and cold but when on form can be unplayable and is 15/8 to score at anytime. He should be supported by the likes of Sebastian Larsson, Kim Kallstrom, Johan Elmander and Ola Toivonen. While it isn’t the strongest Sweden squad ever assembled they should have enough to test England.
Capello has admitted he will make eight changes to his starting XI from the one that beat Spain, with Daniel Sturridge (9/2 first goalscorer), Bobby Zamora (9/2), Jack Rodwell, Danny Welbeck (4/1), Kyle Walker and Scott Carson all in the frame. Capello proved on Saturday that you can mix and match when it comes to your team selection but throwing so many youngsters into the fray could prove to be a mistake.
England fans will certainly expect a more open game on Tuesday, Capello admitting he had to play defensively against Spain given their quality. A more open game could suit both sides, with Sweden having failed to score on Saturday for the first time in 11 matches as they lost to Denmark 2-0.
The Swedes will hope they can raise their game for the clash with England, a fixture they have traditionally done well in having not tasted defeat since 1968. The last time the two nations met was in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole with the goals for England in the 2-2 draw.
The draw at 13/5 might be the result to go for if history is to repeat itself, with eight of the last 12 matches between the two countries having ended all square. England will be expected to win but Sweden have proven they have the Three Lions’ number over the years and could do so once again.
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