Sweden to leave it late in Poland
Poland face Sweden at Stadion Śląski in Chorzów on Tuesday night with a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year the prize for victory. The hosts received a bye in the semis because of Russia's expulsion from sporting competition, whilst the visitors edged out Czechia in extra time to set up this meeting, which promises to be another tight affair. Read our preview here:
Moder transport
Biało-czerwoni warmed up for this winner takes all encounter with a hastily arranged fixture in Scotland, which resulted in a 1-1 draw. Head coach Czesław Michniewicz, who was only appointed at the end of January, lost both Arkadiusz Milik and Bartosz Salamon from the roster due to costly knocks sustained in the friendly, whilst Mateusz Klich is suspended. At 22, Brighton & Hove Albion's versatile midfielder Jakub Moder represents the next generation of talent coming into the national picture, and he'll be tasked with supporting Robert Lewandowski alongside Piotr Zieliński. The 3-4-2-1 is built for getting the ball from various sources to the evergreen Bayern Munich hitman, and Moder's presence should help his side press from the front.
Zlat's the way
Janne Andersson will be hoping for more of the same steel shown against Czechia to qualify yet again for a major tournament. The tried-and-tested 4-4-2 will be on show, and he'll be able to welcome back Zlatan Ibrahimović for one last roll of the dice. Partnering Alexander Isak, the living legend should be able to push back the home backline, encouraging runners from an otherwise conservative midfield to penetrate the final third. Tottenham Hotspur new boy Dejan Kulusevski, if fit, will sit wide when Poland have the ball, but drift inside for knockdowns when it's won back high up the pitch.
Betting tip
There's very little on paper separating the sides, though Sweden ought to have the edge by virtue of playing competitive football far more recently, a reality that is out of Poland's control. betway have odds of 2.15 for the visitors to book a berth in Qatar by any means, and it could well take extra-time or penalties for that to be achieved.
