Sweden vs Spain 16/10/19

16 October 2019

Sweden and Spain go head-to-head for their 2020 UEFA European Championship qualifying (ECQ) encounter at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.

The hosts have enjoyed a solid ECQ campaign so far, recording four wins in seven matches (W4, D2, L1). Notably, after a 2-1 home defeat of Romania in the curtain-raiser, each of their remaining three triumphs in Group F has come by a clean sheet and at least a three-goal margin. However, Sweden’s only loss in the qualifying campaign was a 3-0 demolition to Spain back in June, which was also the only ECQ match that saw them draw a blank. Still, Jane Andersson has a solid run of home form to rely on here, as the Blue and Yellow won three consecutive competitive matches on home soil before being held to a 1-1 draw to Norway during the previous international break.

Meanwhile, a late penalty converted by Joshua King in last week’s 1-1 away draw with Norway brought the visitors’ run of six straight ECQ triumphs to a halt. However, the three-time European champions can seal their progression to the main tournament if they pull off a win here. The Red Fury comfortably sit top of Group F, and it’s only a question of time when they will mathematically ensure their participation in the upcoming final tournament. All six of Spain’s ECQ wins have seen them score 2+ match goals and restrict their rivals to a maximum of one. What’s more, Robert Moreno’s men were leaders at halftime in six of seven qualifying matches, a victory over Sweden being the only exception.