After a shock defeat to Georgia, Sweden travel to Spain facing a far harder task than seemed likely to be the case heading into the international break. Rather than just picking up a draw, Janne Andersson’s side must now win in Seville if they are to qualify automatically for next winter’s World Cup.
Equally for Luis Enrique another day where nothing goes right for La Furia Roja in front of goal need not necessarily hold the same fear when a draw, such as the one these two sides played out at the same ground in June’s Euro 2020 group stage game, takes his side to Qatar without having to worry about the playoffs. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Viewing information
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 14 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
- Location: La Cartuja — Seville, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Spain -286; Draw +360; Sweden +850 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Spain: A hard-fought 1-0 win in Greece has Spain on track for the World Cup with Pablo Sarabia once more impressing for his national team as he scored the winning penalty midway through the first half. The scoreline may not have been as reflective of the visitors’ territorial and possession dominance as it might have been but the composure with which his side held Greece at bay will surely have impressed Luis Enrique.
Indeed it was all the more creditable that this Spain side is hardly at full strength. Senior players from Cesar Azpilicueta to Sergio Busquets were left out whilst a host of key figures were unavailable due to injury, meaning the likes of Barcelona midfielder Gavi and Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas entered the fray and did so to a high standard.
Sweden: Top spot had seemed to be in Sweden’s hands but a shock 2-0 defeat in Georgia changed all that. The visitors certainly had their chances to win the game early on with both Zlatan Ibrahmiovic and Alexander Isak spurning good opportunities, perhaps explaining the irritable mood Andersson found himself in when he was told his side would not be able to train on the entirety of La Cartuja’s pitch with lights covering the grass by one of the goals.
“The day before the game it is important to spend an hour in the stadium, without limitations regarding the area where you can play,” the Sweden coach said. “The grass is perfect, but it bothered me when it was decided to limit the space where we could train.”
Prediction
Momentum seems to be on Spain’s side and they will surely look to put this game on ice swiftly to preserve against a late rally from the Swedes. PICK: Spain 2, Sweden 1
