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Kick-off: 8 September @ 19:45 CET
Venue: Friends Arena (Solna, Sweden)
Past meetings
Austria v Sweden 1-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Sweden v Austria 2-1 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Austria v Sweden 2-1 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Austria v Sweden 0-2 (International friendly)
Austria v Sweden 1-1 (International friendly)
Sweden
Last 5 matches:
Moldova v Sweden 0-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Sweden v Iran 3-1 (International friendly)
Norway v Sweden 0-0 (International friendly)
Sweden v Montenegro 3-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Russia v Sweden 1-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Sweden superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic is rated doubtful after pulling out of the Russia game with an abdominal muscle problem, but coach Erik Hamren believes the PSG star will be ready to start against Austria.
Important midfielder Kim Kallstrom (120/16) returns after missing the game in Moscow through suspension, with Pontus Wernbloom expected to make way for the former Arsenal footballer.
After the 4-5-1 formation did not produce expected results in Russia, coach Erik Hamren is widely expected to revert to 4-4-2 for the all-important match against group leaders Austria.
Players to watch: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jimmy Durmaz.
Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Isaksson – Bengtsson, Johansson, Granqvist, Martin Olsson – Larsson, Ekdal, Kallstrom, Durmaz – Ibrahimovic, Berg.
Austria
Last 5 matches:
Austria v Brazil 1-2 (International friendly)
Liechtenstein v Austria 0-5 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Austria v Bosnia 1-1 (International friendly)
Russia v Austria 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Austria v Moldova 1-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
There were no major missings for coach Marcel Koller ahead of the important matches vs Moldova and Sweden, although Besiktas midfielder Veli Kavlak (31/1) continues to miss out through injury.
And with Austria achieving a much needed win over Moldova to move seven points clear at the top of the group, the boss is unlikely to make changes to his starting line-up for the Sweden game.
Marcel Koller appears to have found his best starting XI, with the likes of David Alaba, Zlatko Junuzovic and Marko Arnautovic pulling the strings.
Players to watch: David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Almer – Klein, Prodl, Dragovic, Fuchs – Baumgartlinger, Alaba – Harnik, Junuzovic, Arnautovic – Janko.
Sweden v Austria betting odds & tips
*Sweden desperately need a win to remain in front of Russia in the race for the second place and they are 2.15 (23/20) to claim maximum points.
*But, with Austria flying high at the moment and winning six straight qualifier, bear in mind that away win pays 3.60 (13/5).
*Given that the hosts have no choice but to attack and that Austria can be very dangerous on the break, backing both teams to score at 2.06 (35/33) makes a lot of sense.
