After failing to qualify for the previous two World Cups, Sweden look to make an impact without superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the squad. The best World Cup for Sweden was back in 1950 and 1994 when they finished in the third place.
Previous fixtures – Head-to-head Germany vs Sweden
There have been seven meetings between Germany and Sweden. The first meeting took place in 1934. Germany have dominated the tie with five wins and two draws, as Sweden have been unable to get even a single win against their illustrious neighbours.
Germany Team News
FC Cologne defender Jonas Hector is back in training after missing the game against Mexico. The left-back is expected to replace Hertha Berlin’s Marvin Plattenhardt in the starting line-up.
Sweden Team News
Sebastian Larsson suffered an injury in the win over South Korea but the experienced midfielder is expected to be available for this match. Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof missed the opening game against South Korea due to illness. He is a doubt for the match.
World Cup 2018: Germany vs Sweden prediction, line-ups and preview
World champions Germany are on the brink of embarrassment when they face Sweden on Saturday.
Line-ups Germany vs Sweden
GERMANY: Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Plattenhardt, Khedira, Kroos, Muller, Ozil, Draxler, Werner.
Sweden: Olsen, Lustig, Jansson, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg, Berg, Toivonen.
Germany Key Players
Timo Werner (striker) – Eight goals in 15 international appearances for Germany so far, and 21 in each of the last two seasons with RB Leipzig too.
Manuel Neuer (goalkeeper) – Officially the second-best player at the last World Cup, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper’s return from injury is timely
Thomas Muller (attacking midfielder/striker) – Back in the team lately, the Bayern Munich striker has scored ten goals in the last two World Cups combined. His five in 2010 earned him the Golden Boot.
Germany Previous match
Germany 0-1 Mexico
Despite 17 shots on goal – nine of which were on target – and 67 per cent of the possession, Germany were unable to find a way past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in their opening World Cup game. Hirving Lozano’s early goal gave Mexico the lead, and they could even have won more convincingly after squandering some good chances as the game opened up in the second-half.
Germany Team Form
Germany have won just once since securing qualification for the 2018 World Cup with a 100 per cent record – ten wins from ten. After qualifying, Germany drew with England, France and Spain and then suffered their first defeat since Euro 2016 when they lost 1-0 to Brazil in March. Defeat to Austria followed, and though they bounced back to win 2-1 against Saudi Arabia in their final friendly thanks to Timo Werner and an own goal, they lost to Mexico last time out.
Germany Predicted Starting Line up
Expected Line up: 4-2-3-1
Sweden Key Players
Marcus Berg (striker) – Top scorer in World Cup qualifying for Sweden with eight goals. He has 18 in 58 in total for the national team
Sebastian Larsson (midfielder) – His set pieces were always dangerous, and the midfielder offers plenty of experience having passed 100 international caps too
Andreas Granqvist (defender) – Took responsibility to score from the spot against South Korea, and now must keep Germany’s strikers under wraps
Sweden Previous match
Sweden 1-0 South Korea (Granqvist (p))
While Sweden Football team needed a VAR-awarded penalty to beat South Korea in their opening World Cup game, the victory was fully deserved having denied the Koreans even a shot on target. Sweden could have been in front before half-time when Marcus Berg missed a great chance, but they did not rue their missed chances.
Sweden Team Form
Sweden’s win against South Korea ended a run of four matches without victory, and also marked their third consecutive clean sheet after goalless draws with Denmark and Peru. Andreas Granqvist’s goal was, however, their first goal in four games as they lost 1-0 to Romania prior to their two recent draws.
Sweden Predicted Starting Line up
Expected Line up: 4-4-2
Germany vs Sweden Prediction
Germany suffered a setback in losing to Mexico, but they created plenty of chances. Put just one away against Sweden and it might be enough, given the Swedes’ struggles in attack.
Correct score prediction: Germany 1-0 Sweden.
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