As the 2018 World Cup kicks off in Russia in just around a year’s time, there’s still plenty of qualifiers to be played and France make the trip to Sweden to continue their respective international breaks. The two sides meet in Group A and after just 5 games, France top the group with 13 points from a possible 15 while Sweden sit 2^nd with 10 points but may have to qualify via the play-off if they eventually finish 2^nd in the group.

STATS

• Since their Euro 2016 group stage exit, Sweden have only lost two games and one of those games they lost was the earlier qualifier against France. They’ve won 5 of their last 8 games and a win over European champions, Portugal in their last match showed just how good they can be when they are on top form.
• After their gutting 1-0 loss in the Euro final in their home country, France have only lost on one occasion and that came against Spain back at the end of March. They’ve also only drawn once meaning they have won 5 of their last 7 and a huge 5-0 victory over Paraguay in their last game has given them confidence going into this one.
• Emil Forsberg was brilliant for RB Leipzig last season as they secured a Champions League place against the odds and he’s been great for Sweden in qualifying so far. He’s scored 3 goals and only player in Group A has scored more goals.
• France have struggled to find an outstanding goalscorer so far in the group as Gameiro, Giroud, Griezmann, Pogba and Payet have all scored 2 goals. However, with a hat-trick for Olivier Giroud in the game against Paraguay, he’ll be full of confidence for the game against Sweden.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sweden have only beaten France once at the last 12 times of asking and France will be hoping to keep their dominance over Sweden up in this game. They’ve won 3 of the last 5 meetings between the two and the earlier qualifier in Group A saw France come out 2-1 winners as Pogba and Payet scored either side after Forsberg broke the deadlock.

SWEDEN NEWS

A win for Sweden in this fixture would put down a huge marker and statement of intent and it means they would go level on points with their opponents, giving them a stronger chance of automatic qualification to next summer’s tournament. International legends Kim Kallstrom and Zlatan Ibrahimović recently retired from international football and that has meant two big figures in the dressing room are gone. They’ll be relying on the youngsters, like Emil Forsberg, to shine through.

Latest matches: Sweden

28.03.2017	Int.	Portugal	Sweden	2:3	W
25.03.2017	Worl	Sweden	Belarus	4:0	W
12.01.2017	Int.	Sweden	Slovakia	6:0	W
08.01.2017	Int.	Sweden	Ivory Coast	1:2	L
15.11.2016	Int.	Hungary	Sweden	0:2	W

FRANCE NEWS

It’s vital that France win this fixture as Didier Deschamps is possibly staring down the barrel in terms of his job as French manager. It’s also vital for their hopes of qualification as another win will really put some breathing space between themselves and the chasing pack in Group A. Kylian Mbappe should be called upon to make his 3^rd appearance for Les Bleus after his incredible league form for Monaco last season and with Giroud, they should fire France to a win.

Latest matches: France

02.06.2017	Int.	France	Paraguay	5:0	W
28.03.2017	Int.	France	Spain	0:2	L
25.03.2017	Worl	Luxembourg	France	1:3	W
15.11.2016	Int.	France	Ivory Coast	0:0	D
11.11.2016	Worl	France	Sweden	2:1	W

SUMMARY

Although France will go into the game as favourites, Sweden certainly won’t be scared of the challenge and they won’t be scared in front of goal either even without Ibrahimović. The Scandinavians have scored in all of their games since the European Championships last summer while France have only failed to score in one game since. Both sides should find the back of the net but with a much stronger side, it should be France who take all 3 points in this one.