Sweden-Estonia is a match on the tenth day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group F and is played Sunday at 6 p.m.: predictions.
Sweden’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign has been an unmitigated disaster. Not only have the yellow-and-whites never managed to undermine Belgium and Austria, the two selections occupying the top two spots and who have been mathematically certain to have qualified for the next continental review for a few rounds now. But they have also made blunders, such as last Thursday’s heavy defeat in Azerbaijan.
A 3-0 loss cashed against a clearly inferior team and probably helping to write the end of the Andersson era. After the match with Estonia, which was useless for ranking purposes since everything is already decided in Group F, the experienced technical commissioner – in charge since 2016 – will probably have to pack his bags. Disconcerting was the performance offered three days ago in Baku, moreover against an opponent that at the beginning of the second half was left with ten men due to Mustafazada’s expulsion. Not even in numerical superiority did Sweden have the strength to react after ending up two goals down in the first half and even cashed in the third goal a minute from the end.
The Scandinavians, who also appeared to be struggling in the last Nations League – which ended in bitter relegation to League C – will now at least try to limit the damage while avoiding slipping to fourth place after being joined on 7 points by the Azeris themselves.
Qualification is now gone – Kulusevski and his teammates don’t even have a chance to enter Germany 2024 via the play-offs – but we need to turn the page after Thursday’s poor showing: no mistakes are allowed against bottom-of-the-table Estonia, already swept 5-0 last September. The Baltics, last in the standings with only one point from seven games, could instead resoundingly make the playoffs thanks to success in their own league (the D League) in the 2022-23 Nations League. To sing victory, however, we will have to wait for the results of the other teams.
The prediction
It is fair to expect a prideful reaction from Sweden, which was humiliated in Azerbaijan. Andersson’s men against Estonia should score two to four goals.
Sweden-Estonia likely lineups
SWEDEN (3-4-2-1): Olsen; Krafth, Lindelof, Helander, Augustinsson; Svanberg, Ekdal, Cajuste, Forsberg; Kulusevski, Gyokeres.
ESTONIA (3-4-2-1): Hein; Lilander, Tamm, Paskotsi, Mets, Pikk; Tunjov, Vetkal, Poom; Vastsuk, Anier.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0