Our final article on the Group E teams sees us cast an eye over Sweden’s prospects. Erik Hamren’s men get their campaign up and running against Republic of Ireland on Monday June 13 at 5pm before taking on Italy four days later at 2pm and group favourites Belgium on Wednesday June 22 at 8pm.
Road to Qualification
Sweden finished third in qualifying Group G, ten points behind top dogs Austria after winning five and drawing three of their ten fixtures. Although Hamren’s side were far from explosive and scored on just 15 occasions, they remained relatively consistent and found the net in nine of those matches.
At the back, however, Sweden were far from convincing – they mustered just three clean sheets, with two arriving against whipping boys Moldova.
Pitted against Denmark in the play-offs, the Swedes followed up a 2-1 home win with a 2-2 away draw three days later to book their place on the plane to France.
In terms of recent friendlies, yesterday’s 3-0 win over Wales was only Sweden’s second victory in seven matches over the last 12 months. Aside from a 3-0 triumph over Finland, they’ve also chalked up draws against Norway (0-0), Estonia (1-1) Czech Republic (1-1) and Slovenia (0-0) and lost 2-1 to Turkey.
It’s worth noting, though, that talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic – who scored three of their four play-off goals against the Danes – played a part in just three of those friendlies.
Most Appearances Andreas Isaksson (12), Andreas Granqvist, Kim Kallstrom, Seb Larsson (11), Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Martin Olsson (10), Mikael Antonsson, Erkan Zengin (9), Pierre Bengtsson, Jimmy Durmaz, Albin Ekdal, Emil Forsberg (8), Marcus Berg (7)
Most goals Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11), Erkan Zengin (3), Marcus Berg (2)
Most assists Jimmy Durmaz (3), Erkan Zengin, Kim Kallstrom, Mikael Lustig (2)
The Key Targets
It’s impossible to look past Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Sweden’s likeliest source of Fantasy returns. Given that Belgium, Italy and Ireland managed five, four and four clean sheets respectively, the Man United target will fancy his chances of adding to the 11 goals accrued over the qualifying period. Priced at 11.0 and owned by 7% of managers, he is far and away the most expensive member of Hamren’s side and there seems little doubt that, if the Swedes are to progress, Zlatan will have a say in the matter.
Bearing in mind that only three Sweden players produced ten or more attempts in the qualifiers, the number of valid options in the final third are somewhat limited. Apart from Ibrahimovic, Marcus Berg was the best of the rest in terms of goal threat – although he scored just twice, he fired just six shots less inside the opposition box. Priced at 7.0 he is far kinder on the budget that his strike partner – although he has the potential to offer value, he’s far less reliable than the former PSG man.
Emil Forsberg nailed down a role on the left towards the end of the qualifying campaign and grabbed a crucial goal in the play-off win over Denmark. Priced at just 5.5, he was third in qualifying when it came to both shots inside the box and efforts on target – Forsberg highlighted his threat yesterday by bagging the opener against Chris Coleman’s side.
A goal and assist in the win over Wales brings Mikael Lustig into contention. Costing 5.0, the raiding right-back is cheaper on the budget than the likes of Martin Olsson and Andreas Granqvist (5.5 apiece) as a route into a defence with a single goal against in three. Lustig bettered Olsson by two assists to zero in qualifying and has looked a real threat inside the opposition box in recent matches.
The Long Shots
Seb Larsson seems to have ousted Jimmy Durmaz from the right flank role in recent outings. The Sunderland man has started both his nation’s friendlies over the last week or so and has been handed a share of corners though, at 6.5, is more expensive than fellow winger Forsberg.
Kim Kallstrom’s all-round style of play could be better suited to the Draft Kings game. Priced at 6.0 in Uefa, he’s the main man for corners and was second and third for crosses and key passes respectively. Furthermore, the Grasshoppers playmaker was second top for Sweden when it came to interceptions.
Available for a mere 4.0 in Uefa, Viktor Nilsson Lindelof had looked an ideal budget enabler prior to yesterday. The centre-half had started each of the last three friendlies alongside Granqvist in the heart of defence but Hamren’s decision to field Erik Johansson places enough doubt against Lindelof’s minutes to render him too much of a risk for most.
Euro 16 Statistics Now Available
Our Members Area now contains full Opta data for all the 24 participating nations in Euro 16. It includes statistics covering the Qualifying Rounds and all the friendlies for the last 12-months – we will also be providing statistics throughout the tournament from June 10, updated minutes after the final whistle of each match.
This Euro 16 statistics are provided in addition to the regular Premier League season package. New memberships are now available for the pre-season price of just £12.50 and will expire on June 1 2017. Full details on the benefits of membership can be found here.
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Further Analysis
Group A – Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland.
Group B England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales.
Group C Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine.
Group D Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey.
Group E Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland
