Sweden head into their first UEFA Nations League fixture with Slovenia looking to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on a place at the World Cup.

The same applies to Slovenia, although the home side missed out on a place in the playoffs and have not played competitively since November.

Match preview

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Heading into November, Sweden were well on course to qualify automatically for the World Cup ahead of Spain, something which would have represented one of their biggest achievements in years.

Since then, however, it has been nothing but disappointment. Defeats to Georgia and Spain sent Sweden into the playoffs, where they subsequently lost to Poland in the final playoff contest.

Janne Andersson remains in charge of the team, understandably so after 12 wins from his last 18 games, but the long-serving boss needs to find a way of breathing some new life into their football.

Nevertheless, a group also involving Norway and Serbia means that Sweden will have to be at their best to stay competitive, and a crop of players which features some fresh faces might be exactly what they require.

Sweden head into this fixture having failed to score in normal time during their last four fixtures, the only strike during that period coming in extra time against Czech Republic.

From Slovenia's perspective, they are very much the minnows of the group, but Matjaz Kek may not mind as his team look to take the next step on the international stage.

Slovenia have always been able to pull off the odd impressive result in isolation, like they did by beating Croatia last year, but they have too often faltered in games in which they were fancied to win.

A run of matches against their upcoming rivals may be just what they need, with a home victory over Sweden giving them the springboard to act as surprise contenders for promotion to League A.

They currently find themselves on a four-match unbeaten streak, although that run of results includes draws with Slovakia and Qatar.

Team News

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Kek may be prepared to name the same starting lineup which earned a 1-1 draw against Croatia in a friendly in March.

That would see Middlesbrough forward Andraz Sporar retain his spot down the middle of the attack, and the inexperience trio of David Brekalo, Zan Karnicik and Gregor Sikosek stay in the team further back.

With Victor Lindelof out injured and Marcus Danielson having retired from international football, Sweden will make changes in the centre of defence.

Carl Starfelt and Joakim Nilsson may get the nod in their place, and further alterations could be made with Matthias Svanberg an option in midfield.

Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga will likely remain among the replacements.

Slovenia possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Brekalo, Bijol, Blazic; Karnicik, Cerin, Kurtic, Sikosek; Zajc, Lovric; Sporar

Sweden possible starting lineup:
Olsen; Krafth, Starfelt, Nilsson, Augustinsson; Forsberg, Karlstrom, Olsson, Kulusevski; Quaison, Isak

We say: Slovenia 1-2 Sweden

This has all the makings of being a competitive fixture, particularly due to Slovenia possessing home advantage. However, Sweden need to kick-start their next cycle with victory in a tough group, leading us to predict a narrow win for the visitors.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Darren Plant

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