Swedes in a stew
Matchday two of Euro 2020 qualification throws up an intriguing Scandinavian derby as a divided Swedish squad travel to Oslo for a crunch clash with neighbours Norway.
Old foes but a familiar face
Sweden are known to view Norway as the annoying younger sibling capable of upstaging them on the ski slopes and on the ice hockey rink. But there’s every chance this trend could extend to the football pitch before long and ironically, it’ll be one of their own responsible for overseeing their demise.
Lars Lagerbäck, more recently joint boss of Iceland but best known for almost a decade in charge of his native Sverige, has qualified for five major finals as a national team manager; four with his homeland with Iceland’s run to the quarters of Euro 2016 also on a rather distinguished CV. Now he’s looking to add a sixth qualification with Sweden's great rivals, Norway.
Lars doing his thing
The 70-year-old appears to be onto something too, winning 11 of his first 20 games in charge including four from six Nations League games which resulted in Norway topping their group ahead of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Slovenia, guaranteeing themselves the safety net of a play-off spot in the process.
Such a feat is evidence of Lagerbäck working his magic once more on the international stage. And while Saturday’s game with Spain was the one-sided affair many expected, Norway were only beaten by a penalty and could’ve snatched an unlikely draw on another day.
Hard nut to crack at home
They’ll fancy their chances of bouncing back against Sweden and with their remarkable home record, it's clear to see why.
Seven straight wins in all comps, including the last four without conceding, is part of an unbeaten run which stretches back to 2016!
Tie this in with a manager that has been there and got the t-shirt and a sprinkle of quality through the spine of the team in Josh King, Martin Ødegaard and Kristoffer Ajer, Norway may well become more than just the underdogs of this group.
Swedes in turmoil
Having defied the odds not only in qualifying for the World Cup but during the finals itself with a strong team spirit that made up for a group lacking in overall quality, Sweden had been tipped as Spain's closest challengers in Group F.
It may still turn out this way but that seemingly unbreakable team bond looks to have been well and truly shattered.
For reasons similar to those you’d find on a playground, Janne Andersson is currently experiencing his toughest period as national team boss, even after having won Saturday's opener against Romania.
Emil Forsberg’s childlike reaction to his substitution was bad enough but it then emerged he had opted to leave the squad altogether. Add in the alleged hostilities towards the manager from Victor Lindelöf and Robin Olsen over the decision to omit the popular John Guidetti, and Sweden resemble a side in turmoil.
Betting tip
Norway may have zero points and Sweden three but believe it or not, it’s the team going into this game point-less in much the better shape.
Quite who will play or in fact, decide to turn up for Sweden remains to be seen. But more to the point, there’s clearly something not right in the Swedish camp and facing an upwardly mobile and stable Norway team in Oslo isn't what Andersson needs right now.
All things considered Norway DNB is the wise move here at 8/11 (1.74).
