Portugal will face off Sweden in their World Cup play-off game, as the Portuguese squad failed to secure the first spot in a group together with Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan, N. Ireland and Luxembourg. They finished the group stage with a 6-3-1 record and only one point behind the Russians who took the first place and qualified directly for Brazil 2014.
Portuguese side lost in Russia, but also drawn twice to Israel, combined with a home draw against Northern Ireland, it was simply too much setbacks to finish the group as first. In the last game they played, they won over Luxembourg 3:0 at home in a game they played with a man more from 29th minute. Many players were rotated in that game, while the team will be morale boosted for this game, with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe who are returning back in the team after serving their suspensions. Home side lost only one out of last eight official matches they play and are coming into this game from a 3-2-0 home record in qualifying round, proving to be effective side lately with twenty goals scored in ten qualifying games. Home side coach Paulo Bento has no injury worries for this game and will field up the strongest side led by Nani, Postiga and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
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Portugal vs Sweden is live streaming. Watch live at Bet365
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Sweden had no luck in the qualifying draw as they were drawn in a group together with Germany and couldn’t do much more than securing the second position. Even so, the team secured their play-off ticket two rounds before the finish, with a 2:1 victory over Austria. Finally, they ended up second with eight points less than Germany that had only one draw in the group, in a 4:4 meeting at home against Swedish team.
Before their 3:5 defeat in the last round’s game at home against Germany, the team had five consecutive victories that made the second position possible, while they couldn’t resist to Germans in last round, especially being without their best player Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Head coach Hamren has said that Portugal are one level above Sweden and that they are huge favorites to qualify, but still added the matches will be decided on the details. Coming back from suspension, Ibrahimovic will lead his team once again, while the coach Hamren has no specific injury worries for this game with striker Hysen being out for this game, but wouldn’t be used anyway with Ibrahimovic in team.
*Portugal has never won against Sweden at home, counting 0-2-3 record.
Having in mind that both sides are doing much better in offensive part of the game than defensive, it’s hard to see any of these going into the game with defensive tactics. Both teams to score and over goals have the first choice here as everything except that would be a surprise in a game with such a offensive opponents.
Portuguese side lost in Russia, but also drawn twice to Israel, combined with a home draw against Northern Ireland, it was simply too much setbacks to finish the group as first. In the last game they played, they won over Luxembourg 3:0 at home in a game they played with a man more from 29th minute. Many players were rotated in that game, while the team will be morale boosted for this game, with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe who are returning back in the team after serving their suspensions. Home side lost only one out of last eight official matches they play and are coming into this game from a 3-2-0 home record in qualifying round, proving to be effective side lately with twenty goals scored in ten qualifying games. Home side coach Paulo Bento has no injury worries for this game and will field up the strongest side led by Nani, Postiga and Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
..............................................................................................................................................................
Portugal vs Sweden is live streaming. Watch live at Bet365
...............................................................................................................................................................
Sweden had no luck in the qualifying draw as they were drawn in a group together with Germany and couldn’t do much more than securing the second position. Even so, the team secured their play-off ticket two rounds before the finish, with a 2:1 victory over Austria. Finally, they ended up second with eight points less than Germany that had only one draw in the group, in a 4:4 meeting at home against Swedish team.
Before their 3:5 defeat in the last round’s game at home against Germany, the team had five consecutive victories that made the second position possible, while they couldn’t resist to Germans in last round, especially being without their best player Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Head coach Hamren has said that Portugal are one level above Sweden and that they are huge favorites to qualify, but still added the matches will be decided on the details. Coming back from suspension, Ibrahimovic will lead his team once again, while the coach Hamren has no specific injury worries for this game with striker Hysen being out for this game, but wouldn’t be used anyway with Ibrahimovic in team.
*Portugal has never won against Sweden at home, counting 0-2-3 record.
*Portugal scored at least once in last twelve games, while Sweden did the same in previous eight.
Having in mind that both sides are doing much better in offensive part of the game than defensive, it’s hard to see any of these going into the game with defensive tactics. Both teams to score and over goals have the first choice here as everything except that would be a surprise in a game with such a offensive opponents.
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