Manager

Janne Andersson. The Halmstad-born coach is known for getting his sides to dig in and produce workmanlike performances and he's injected plenty of steel and determination since taking over in 2016.

He's won nine of his 16 games in charge and helped his side qualify for the World Cup at the expense of Italy.

Since the retirement of the iconic of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden have welcomed in a new era and Andersson has been tasked with helping his younger players get some much-needed game time.

Method Of Qualification

Sweden were drawn in a tough-looking Group A and proved no match for France but they did finish above the Netherlands on goal difference to secure a potentially tricky two-legged play-off with Italy.

Andersson's side came away with a slender lead from the first leg at the Friends Arena surviving a number of scares throughout the 90 minutes

They rolled up their sleeves, dug in and secured a goalless draw in Milan to book their place in Russia and send shock-waves through the sporting world.

They were the highest scoring team in Group A netting 26 times and ending with a goal difference of +17.

 

Star Player Of Qualifying

Compared to many of his significantly younger teammates, Marcus Berg is a grizzled veteran but the 31-year-old has been excellent over the past couple of years.

He netted eight times throughout the qualifying campaign including four against Luxembourg and he also fired in a crucial opening goal against the Netherlands.

He has teamed up with the lively Emil Forsberg and the pair have more than adequately replaced the talismanic Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

There has been much speculation about the Manchester United striker coming out of retirement and he's been priced 7/4 to play at least a minute at the 2018 tournament.

 

Most Memorable World Cup Moment

Although they progressed nicely in the 1994 tournament, the 1958 World Cup, which was staged in Sweden, is arguably their greatest triumph in this competition.

They finished above Wales in the group stage before impressively beating the Soviet Union and West Germany. Winger Kurt Hamrin scored in both games as the Swedish player poured forward at every opportunity.

Having reached the final for the first time in their history, they bumped into a ruthless Brazil outfit and, despite Nils Liedholm giving them a 4th minute lead, they were comprehensively beaten 5-2.

 

Predicted Finish

Sweden look a decent side and they have already denied Italy and the Netherlands a place in Russia.

Although drawn alongside Germany, they will be confident of progressing from the group stage and they look a decent outside bet to reach the quarter-finals.

They have the firepower and they can also defend doggedly and are likely to cause a few more upsets along the way.

 

Recommended Bet

5/4 for Sweden to finish in the top 2 positions of Group F looks outstanding.

A small each way play on Marcus Berg to finish as the top goalscorer at 200/1 is also a possibility, whilst they are 6/5 to beat South Korea in their opening encounter.

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

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