Sweden-Portugal Statistical Preview

Probable Lineups

Team News

Sweden

• Sweden could remain unchanged after rather nullifying the attacking threat of the Portuguese last time out and also posing some threat of their own.
• The hopes of the nation rest in the most part on the performance of Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front, who did little to impose himself on the game last time out.

Portugal

• Portugal will hope for a similar game to the first leg, in which Pepe did well to deal with Ibrahimovic and restrict him to a solitary shot and little in the way of influence.
• However, they won’t want to come here to and sit on their lead, and will hope Cristiano Ronaldo can produce a goal, with Postiga and Nani looking unlikely to do so last time out.
• They could be unchanged from last time out.

Prediction

• The fact that Portugal won 3 of their 5 away games in qualifying does not tell the whole story; their wins came against Luxembourg (by a 2-1 scoreline after going behind), Azerbaijan (2-0) and Northern Ireland (4-2 after going 2-1 down). They also drew in Israel after being 3-1 down with 20 minutes to go, and clearly struggle away from home.
• Sweden should therefore stand some chance of turning the tie on its head after losing the first leg 1-0 thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo strike. In front of their own fans, where they scored 3 goals without star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
• The home side will attack from the off, and the game could take shape early on, with the visitors on the back foot and the Swedes pushing for that all important goal. If it comes, the tie will open up, but expect Ronaldo to save the day once again with a key away goal.

Sweden 1 - 1 Portugal