Sweden Versus England World Cup Preview

Cologne June 20, 2006 - Sweden/England

My Pick: Draw

Sweden face a side managed by one of their own countrymen on Tuesday in Cologne in a match which will decide which team bags the top spot in Group B. For the uninitiated, the manager is Sven Goran Eriksson and their opponents are the English. The Swedes are virtually guaranteed of a spot in the last 16 unless they commit harakari and Trinidad and Tobago bang in a few against Paraguay.

England have not won against the Swedes in the last 38 years and will be keen to set that record straight. Both their games have given no indication that they are title contenders, for they have not won their games very convincingly. But still many winners peak as the tournament goes on and that's what English supporters will hope. England's long ball strategy hasn't quite worked. Crouch hasn't exactly been able to use his height to England's advantage (although the referees are a reason for this too) and Owen has not been firing at all. Gary Neville is out of this clash with his calf injury and Jamie Carragher should fill in for him as he did against the Soca Warriors. If not him, then Owen Hargreaves may get the nod. Wayne Rooney may start and this will be a big psychological boost for the squad.

One would also like to see Theo Walcott play atleast for 20 odd minutes.Frank Lampard has also not had his scoring boots on and will be looking to reproduce his Chelsea form for Engalnd.

On a yellow card - Lampard,Gerrard and Peter Crouch.

Sweden have not lost to England in their last 10 meetings and will like to keep that record intact. A draw will suffice for the Swedes to go through. The Swedes despite boasting of players like Ibrahimovic and Larsson upfront have scored only goal in two games but have kept a clean sheet in both. Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg had a good outing against Paraguay and would like to repeat the same against his Premiership compatriots. Sweden will also keep one eye on the Germany Ecuador game. Both the teams will be keen to avoid Germany at the next stage. If the Germans win, then we may see the Swedes play an attacking game which may leave the door open for counter attacks by the English. And if they lose and Trinidad and Tobago score a few, the Swedes will be booted out.

My verdict:
Extremely tough game. The last encounter between the two teams in a world Cup was a 1-1 in Korea and Japan. I do feel this one may go on similar lines but a lot depends on the Germany Ecuador game. If Germany do win, then we may see the English winning narrowly, may be by one goal. Or else a draw is the result to go with.



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