Slovakia vs. Sweden : UEFA Nations League Live Match Preview, livescore, predictions, predicted lineup, betting tips, odds and live stream

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Slovakia and Sweden will clash in a crucial UEFA Nations League encounter , both tied atop League C Group 1 with six points each. This match is pivotal in determining who will secure automatic promotion to League B , with both teams looking to maintain their perfect start from last month.

Slovakia enters this match with a renewed sense of purpose after their Euro 2024 campaign , where they were eliminated in the last 16 by eventual finalists England. They commenced their Nations League journey with a narrow victory over Estonia , courtesy of a second-half goal from Tomas Suslov. Following that , they secured a solid 2-0 win against Azerbaijan , with Ondrej Duda converting a penalty and David Strelec scoring a clincher. Despite their recent successes , Slovakia faces a challenge , having never beaten Sweden in their six previous encounters , the most recent being a loss at the Euro 2020 finals.

On the other side , Sweden , under the guidance of head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson , has also enjoyed a strong start to their Nations League campaign , winning both matches without conceding a goal. They showcased their attacking prowess with a 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan , where Viktor Gyokeres netted twice and Alexander Isak also contributed to the scoreline. Despite a shaky start in friendlies , Sweden is a favorite for promotion after their relegation from League B last season. They aim to secure maximum points in this match to strengthen their position for the top spot in the group.

 Team News 

Slovakia: Coach Francesco Calzona faces significant challenges with injuries sidelining key players. First-choice goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is out , with Marek Rodak expected to take over in goal. Other notable absentees include Ivan Schranz and veteran midfielder Juraj Kucka. Additionally , Ondrej Duda and Tomas Suslov are struggling with fitness but remain with the squad , which could lead to some adjustments in the starting lineup.

 Sweden: The visitors will miss the services of key forward Alexander Isak , leaving Viktor Gyokeres as the sole specialist center-forward. Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski is expected to partner with Gyokeres in attack. Sweden is also without Aston Villa's Robin Olsen , Celta Vigo's Carl Starfelt , and Club Brugge's Gustaf Nilsson. Promising Under-21 players Hugo Bolin and Daniel Svensson have been called up to provide depth , and there is a chance that Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall may be given a starting role. 

Possible Lineups 

Slovakia:  

Rodak, Pekarik, Obert, Skriniar, Hancko, Benes, Lobotka, Duda, Duris, Strelec, Haraslin  

 Sweden:  

Johansson, Krafth, Douglas, Hien, Gudmundsson, Karlstrom, Bergvall, Kulusevski, Nanasi, Elanga, Gyokeres   

Key Players 

Slovakia:  

- David Strelec: The forward has shown promise in recent matches and will be crucial in leading Slovakia's attack. His ability to find space and create opportunities will be essential against a solid Swedish defense. 

- Róbert Haraslin: Haraslin's pace and technical ability make him a threat on the wings. His performance will be vital for Slovakia , especially in breaking down Sweden’s defensive setup and providing support to the strikers.

 Sweden:  

- Viktor Gyokeres: The Sporting Lisbon striker is in fine form , having scored multiple goals in recent matches. His physicality and goal-scoring instincts will be key for Sweden as they look to exploit Slovakia’s defense.

 - Anthony Elanga: The young winger is known for his speed and creativity. Elanga’s ability to stretch the play and deliver quality crosses will be critical in creating scoring opportunities for Gyokeres and the attacking line. 

Prediction

This matchup promises to be an exciting contest between two teams eager to secure their place at the top of Group 1 in the Nations League. Despite Slovakia's home advantage and recent form , Sweden's attacking talent and depth may give them the edge in this tightly contested battle. A narrow 2-1 victory for Sweden seems likely , as they seek to capitalize on Slovakia's injury woes and maintain their perfect start to the campaign.