World Cup

World Cup 2018 – Team Analysis – Sweden

A new era dawns for Sweden, who will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic at a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2000.

Though Ibrahimovic had hinted that he would end his international retirement to play in Russia, the Swedish FA resisted pressure to recall their talismanic striker, which would have risked irking the players who had performed miracles to qualify for this summer’s finals.

Sweden’s is a workmanlike squad, devoid of any real star names – with the exception, perhaps, of Emil Forsberg – and reliant on a gameplan that makes them difficult to break down.

Progression to the round of 16 would seem a tall order for Sweden given their draw, but Fantasy managers might nevertheless wish to consider some squad-filling budget buys among the Swedish ranks.

Janne Andersson’s side kick off their World Cup campaign in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday 18 June, with a likely must-win encounter against South Korea. Sweden’s fixtures subsequently toughen after this, with Germany next up in Sochi on Saturday 23 June before a final-day meeting with Mexico in Yekaterinburg on Wednesday 27 June.

Road to Qualification

Drawn in a qualification group that also contained France, the Netherlands and Bulgaria, Sweden’s chances of progress seemed slim as they entered the post-Ibrahimovic era.

However, Sweden’s only defeat in their first six matches came in a 2-1 away reverse in France, a loss they avenged with a victory by the same score in the return fixture.

Andersson’s side sat top of UEFA Group A qualification following this success over the French, which followed wins over Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Belarus and a draw with the Dutch.

The hammer blow to Sweden’s automatic qualification chances came in their seventh group fixture, with Bulgaria running out 3-2 winners over the Swedes in Sofia.

Comprehensive victories over Belarus and Luxembourg still left Sweden with an outside chance of top spot going into their final group match, but a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands proved to be immaterial as France simultaneously ground out a 2-1 win over Belarus.

Sweden scored 26 goals en route to finishing in second place, the most in Group A and indeed more than any side finishing as runners-up in the UEFA qualifying section.

Andersson’s troops conceded nine goals in all, with seven of these strikes coming in away defeats to France, Bulgaria and the Netherlands. The Swedes remained unbeaten at home throughout qualification, meanwhile.

A nervy 180 minutes against Italy in the play-off round was settled by a 61st-minute Jakob Johansson strike in the first leg in Solna, with Gianpiero Ventura’s Italian side unable to break down a stubborn Swedish defence in the return fixture.

Most starts: Robin Olsen, Andreas Granqvist, Emil Forsberg (12), Victor Lindelof, Marcus Berg (11), Ludwig Augustinsson, Mikael Lustig, Ola Toivonen (9), Jimmy Durmaz, Albin Ekdal (7), Sebastian Larsson (5)

Most goals: Marcus Berg (8), Emil Forsberg (4), Andreas Granqvist, Mikael Lustig, Ola Toivonen (3)

Most assists: Ludwig Augustinsson, Ola Toivonen (4), Marcus Berg, Emil Forsberg (3), Mikael Lustig, Emil Krafth (2)

Sweden have contested three “official” friendlies since sealing qualification in Russia, as well as two other encounters with Denmark and Estonia in Abu Dhabi in January.

The Swedes are without a win in their three most recent FIFA-sanctioned matches, with defeats against Chile and Romania preceding a goalless draw with Denmark.

The Key Targets

The stand-out target in attack is Marcus Berg (£6.7m on Fantasy iTeam and £8.0m on McDonald’s FIFA, Sweden’s most expensive player in both games).

Only four other European strikers beat Berg’s total of eight qualifying goals, four of which came from his head – no forward scored more headed goals in UEFA qualification.

Berg has consistently found the net at club level, scoring 65 goals in 99 league appearances for Panathinaikos before a move to the Middle East last summer. In his debut season with Al Ain FC, the champions of the United Arab Emirates, Berg scored on 25 occasions in just 21 appearances.

It should be noted that six of Berg’s eight strikes for Sweden in qualification came against group also-rans Luxembourg and Belarus, while just one of his 18 goals for the national side (against Iran in March 2015) came against opposition that will be participating in this summer’s World Cup.

Berg registered three assists during qualification, though hasn’t delivered an attacking return in two subsequent international friendly appearances.

The bustling Ola Toivonen (£6.2m on Fantasy iTeam | £7.0m on McDonald’s FIFA), who had an unremarkable loan spell at Sunderland in 2015/16, is a cheaper option up front.

Though Toivonen scored fewer goals (three in total) than his strike partner during qualification, the Toulouse forward provided more assists (four) than Berg and also found the back of the net in Sweden’s 2-1 home defeat to Chile in March.

Emil Forsberg (£6.6m on Fantasy iTeam | £7.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) is the closest thing Sweden have to a superstar in their squad. The midfielder, who can either play as a second striker or, as is more likely in Andersson’s preferred 4-4-2 formation, on the left of midfield, scored four goals and supplied three assists during qualification.

Forsberg’s second year in Germany with RB Leipzig wasn’t nearly as productive as his debut campaign in 2016/17, in which he was involved in 30 of his team’s league goals.

Forsberg scored only twice and recorded two assists in 21 Bundesliga appearances this season, scoring just once for club and country in all competitions since the turn of the year.

No Sweden player had more attempts on goal during qualification than Forsberg, however, and his importance to his country’s attacking prospects cannot be understated.

Andreas Granqvist (£5.5m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) represents excellent value in defence. The 33-year-old centre-half started all 12 of his country’s qualification matches, keeping clean sheets in seven of those fixtures – including in both legs of the play-off tie with Italy.

As well as being an aerial threat from set-pieces, Granqvist has assumed penalty-taking duties for the Swedes: all three of his qualification goals came from the spot.

The Long Shots

Like Granqvist, Sweden’s full-backs could provide Fantasy returns at both ends of the pitch.

No Swedish player created more goals in qualification (four) than Ludwig Augustinsson (£5.4m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.0m on McDonald’s FIFA), whose excellent delivery from set pieces and open play on the left flank provides huge assist potential.

However, the Werder Bremen defender faces stiff competition from Martin Olsson (£5.6m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) for the left-back role and starts are far from guaranteed: Olsson lined up at left-back in Sweden’s most recent friendly against Denmark, though Augustinsson was largely favoured during qualification.

Mikael Lustig (£5.6m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) looks a safer bet at right-back. Sweden tend to play with a compact midfield four, with their two full-backs encouraged to bomb forward and deliver crosses into their two menacing forwards.

The Celtic defender provided two assists during qualification, but also offers a goal threat from set pieces with his height: two of his three strikes were headers.

Goalkeeper Robin Olsen (£5.5m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) was an ever-present during qualification and looks to have recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out for three months towards the end of the season.

Seven of Olsen’s 12 starts resulted in clean sheets, with back-to-back shut-outs against Italy proving that the Swedish backline can stand firm against top-class opposition.

Olsen could benefit hugely from McDonald’s FIFA and Fantasy iTeam both rewarding save points: the Swedish goalkeeper made more saves per match than any other shot-stopper who played more than two matches in UEFA qualification.

Further Analysis

Our comprehensive World Cup guide can be found here.

Group A Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group BIran, Morocco, Portugal, Spain

Group CAustralia, Peru, France, Denmark

Group DArgentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

Group EBrazil, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Serbia

Group FMexico, Germany, Sweden, South Korea

Group GBelgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Group HSenegal, Japan, Poland, Colombia

Our editor’s Fantasy World Cup tips as told to Proper Sport

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423 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Pick 1

    A. Pogba
    B. Modric
    C. Silva
    D. Iniesta
    E. ozil
    F. Kroos
    G. Erikson
    H. Sterling
    I. Ali

    1. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Muller, Coutinho or Isco

      1. Where dahoud at
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Iv got them

        1. Firmino
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Eriksen

    2. Meimei
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      G

    3. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Eriksen

      Modric overpriced, Silva wrongly a striker, Iniesta game time?

    4. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      C if you're not playing McD

  2. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Neymar, Isco or Hazard, Coutinho?

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Deffo A

    2. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Neymar Isco easily

  3. Lyonnais
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Griezmann / Giroud worth getting?

    (C) options for day 3 v Australia.

    Other games on that day are Argentina-Iceland, Croatia-Nigeria and Denmark-Peru where I don't really see a standout captain choice.
    Messi probably but I don't think I have enough funds to get him.

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldnt put any money on Argentina doing well against Iceland

      1. Lyonnais
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Me neither. 1-0 maybe.
        That's why I think a FRA captain option could be great on day 3.

  4. 1630
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Current team. 0,5 in the bank. Thoughts? Will get Varela for Godín if he's likely to play.

    El Kajoui
    Uzoho

    Danilo
    Godín
    Sidibé
    Alba
    Meunier

    Carrasco
    Isco
    Nandez
    Jámes
    C. Sánchez

    Lukaku
    Cavani
    Jesus

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Get Godin.

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Oops sorry you do already.

    2. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'd try to upgrade Sanchez

    3. lub of croatia
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Looks great.

      Possibly Alba->Carvajal, upgrade Sanchez, Cavani->Griezmann for captain coverage on day3

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Captain coverage on every day is not essential. After all, in the end you can only take one captain from the gameweek. Cavani is a better option than Griezmann in my opinion

        1. Meimei
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          considering only their first match would you still pick Cavani over Greizmann?

          1. Meimei
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            and why ?

            1. lub of croatia
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              I would pick player which plays against weaker team from defending perspective. I expected that would be Australia, but they surprisingly won 4-0 last match.
              At the end it is a coin toss or pick Cavani as 0.5 cheaper option.

          2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            It would be a tougher decision, but I just don't think it's incredibly likely that France will get more than 2 goals total from the other two games. If wildcarding straight away its a valid option.

            1. Meimei
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Yes I'll probably WC after GW 1 and then BB knowing the starter in GW2. Unless I change my mind one more time =)

              cheers

  5. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Remember when a russian scored 5 goals in one game?

  6. SM001
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts? Fifa

    Cavani . Neymar

    Casemiro . Sanchez . Pavon . Mueller

    Carvajal . Godin . Kimmich . Sidibi

    De Gea

    Gallase . Kjaer . C.Sanchez . Embolo

  7. I Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Cavani or Werner?

    1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Cavani he plays first !

  8. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    KSA Peno

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      no goal

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Neuer save

        1. 420king
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          and goal on rebound lol

          1. Red Dagger ✪
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Neuer subbed at halftime tho..?

        2. SW6
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          *Ter Stegen 😉

          1. 420king
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            oopsie 😛

  9. DrunkPhilosophy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Well finally fantasy is back.. well sort of!

    I never played any game beside the official premier league game, tried the UCL one but would forget about it after the first week..

    Planning to take this a bit more serious, maybe join one or two cash leagues as well..

    How does this look for a first stab?

    Cavani Jesus Lukaku
    Eriksen Muller
    Godin Kimmich Sidibe Danilo Meunier
    4.5 keeper
    4.5 keeper 5.0mid 5.0mid 5.0mid

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Not bad. Perhaps a bit heavy up front?

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        The way this game was designed, you have to play heavy up front

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Looks decent.

      Would downgrade the bench mids to 4.5ms (they're gonna be 2 point machines anyway) to fund an upgrade from Jesus to Greizmann.

      Consider Lo Celso from Argentina or Carrasco from Belgium as a 3rd midfielder who can actually score some points as backup.

  10. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thinking of setting team for round 1 and then WC possibly week 2. Views on this round 1 set up welcome

    Muslera (v Egypt)
    Trippier (v Tunisia) Godin (v Egypt) Danilo (v Switzerland) Mendy (v Australia) Meunier (v Panama)
    Muller (v Mexico) Rodriguez ( v Japan)
    Lukaku (v Panama) Griezman (v Australia) Suarez (v Egypt)

    Uzoho Halfredsson A Ndiaye C Sanchez

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      For round one that's an excellent team.

      1. putana
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        is it though

    2. Rotation
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'd be tempted by Suarez -> Lewandowski Vs Senegal and pump the 1m into the bench for a nice backup

      1. CityWok
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I like this set-up a lot

  11. putana
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    ughh i have so much money
    i think i will buy another car.

    a. mercedes
    b. ferrari
    c.bentley

    1. Pigeon
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Fiat Multipla

    2. Rotation
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You should buy membership here first - Best miles to the gallon by far

      1. Rotation
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Even before this is Mark's second account

    3. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Poor effort, you'll have to do better than that

  12. SW6
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    lol Saudi should have nicked a draw there.

  13. Jay_
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Why is Gundogan getting booed?

      1. SW6
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Because of some social media post where he said Erdogan was "his president"

        1. Jay_
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks. Just read up on it. Make them right. Ozil’s just as bad too.

        2. putana
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          not german

      2. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        What about doubling up on Germany and going Werner-Reus?

        1. putana
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          reus could snap his leg tying his shoes. not worth the risk

      3. putana
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        why did neur do the salute when they scored?

      4. I Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A) Cavani, Samedov, Asensio
        B) De Arrascaeta, James, Paulinho

      5. Meimei
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        2nd draft
        El Kajoui - Uzoho
        Meunier - Danilo - Godin - Granqvist - Varela
        JRod - Eriksen - Carrasco - Nandez - Aldawsari (c)
        Griezmann - Lukaku - Lewa

        the plan is to GW 1 WC
        some more comments: Meunier and Granqvist scored 5 and 3 goals in qualifiers, G. is on pen. Godin can score as well on free kick, Danilo and Varela play for solid defense.
        JR and Eriksen(11 goals in qualifiers) are the MVP in the midfield, other 3 are enablers mostly but not trash hopefully as bench is important in this game.
        Griezmann, Lukaku and Lewa is where my money is invested, all three have good fixtures.
        Also I won't hesitate to captain the like of Godin, Meunier and gamble for a goal +CS.
        Regards

        1. lub of croatia
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Note: Meunier scored 4 goals and 5 assists against Gibraltar
          Still, looks essential

      6. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I'm on my first draft in the Fifa game. How does this look?

        Allison
        Mendy - D. Sanchez - Kimmich
        Kouyate - Isco - Rodriguez - Müller
        Griezmann - Iwobi - Werner
        (Caballero - Kjær - Bednarek - Inui)
        (0.0m in the bank)

        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Kouyate is cheap for a reason. No attacking points potential.

          Don't know about Bednarek or Inui.

          1. TAT
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah, those three are my question marks. Really don't know who's worth getting in that price bracket.

            Could probably downgrade Allison to Pickford - and a few other downgrades, but don't know if it's worth it.

      7. chef580
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        here is my team in the Fifa game ..what do you think guys?

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Best Ive seen so far

        2. chef580
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Here is my team for Fifa game .what do you think guys?

          Muslera

          kimmich miranda meunier

          cueva bentancur muller carrasco

          hazard suarez werner

          uzoho young hakimi oshima

      8. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I don't see Draxler in any RMTs. Is he not nailed?

        1. FFFrog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          8.5m just a bit steep for someone who rarely gets attacking points

        2. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          From the FFS preview:

          "Julian Draxler (£8.5m) is an important player having started seven qualifiers and four of the friendlies since a place in Russia was booked. The Paris Saint Germain midfielder scored three times in UEFA Group C and assisted once. What makes him more of a ‘long shot’ than a ‘key target’ is the fact that Draxler hasn’t contributed to a goal since qualifying ended and even then he was substituted off in five matches during that stage of the competition."

          Poor man's Muller.

      9. chef580
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I hit post button before I finished …….what a muppet, but I have a ghost of a defence and attack but nothing in the midfield

        1. rainy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Try posting team again?

          1. chef580
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            I have a few posts up

      10. Heavy Data
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        ok so ive gone for this, any good?

        Alisson
        Marcelo/Alba/Layun
        Sterling/Isco/Coutinho/Rodriguez
        Neymar/Aspas/Messi

      11. Tikka Mo Firmino
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Sun Dreamteam. League with no transfers

        Muslera

        Godin Kimmich Meunier

        Muller Coutinho Hazard Silva

        Greizmann Cavani Lukaku

        G2G? Tempted by Werner instead of Griezmann

      12. borat
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Guys what's the ffs league code for McDonald's