With Germany being the hot favourites to qualify for next year's World Cup as group winners, these nations are regarded as the two that will battle it out for a runners-up spot.

The form book so far has proved that school of thought to be correct with Sweden in second place on seven points from three matches, while the Republic of Ireland are one place and a point behind.

As a result, a defeat for either in the Friends Arena on Friday evening would put a big dent in their chances of reaching Brazil.

The hosting Swedes have been tipped to include a handful of players that will be well known to fans of the Premier League, with Sebastian Larsson, Jonas Olsson and Alexander Kacaniklic all thought to be in contention for a starting spot.

They will be up against an Irish side that lost quite a lot of experience following Euro 2012, which is likely to hand the likes of Ciaran Clark and James McCarthy opportunities to impress.

During the last two meetings between these countries, Sweden have won both, while Ireland have failed to find the net.

Recent form

Sweden: WDWWWL

Ireland: WWLWLW

Possible starting lineups

Sweden: Isaksson; Lustig, Olsson, Granqvist, Wendt; Larsson, Kallstrom, Elm, Kacaniklic; Toivonen, Ibrahimovic

Ireland: Forde; O'Shea, St Ledger, Clark, Coleman; Whelan, McCarthy, Green, Hoolahan; Keane, Walters

Sports Mole says: 2-1

Written by
Liam Apicella

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