On September 5, 2021, Sweden and Albania are set to face off in a highly anticipated World Cup qualifying match. Both teams are vying for a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and this game will be crucial in determining their chances of qualification. sweden vs albania prediction us first take a closer look at what we can expect from this upcoming clash.
Sweden is currently ranked 18th in the world by FIFA, while Albania sits at 66th place. Despite the significant gap between their rankings, both teams have shown strong performances recently and are evenly matched on paper. This makes for an exciting game as both sides will be determined to secure a win.
One of the key factors to consider going into this match is home-field advantage. Sweden will have the support of their home crowd at Friends Arena in Stockholm, which could give them an edge over Albania who will have to play away from home. However, it’s worth noting that playing without fans due to COVID-19 restrictions may affect this advantage.
Past performances
Looking at past performances in World Cup qualifiers, Sweden has a slightly better record than Albania. In their previous five qualifiers, Sweden has won three games and drawn two while Albania has only managed two wins and three losses. However, both teams have had successful runs in recent years with Sweden reaching the quarter-finals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Albania making it to Euro 2016 for the first time in their history.
In terms of player personnel, Sweden boasts some top talent such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic who recently came out of retirement to rejoin his national team after five years. The veteran striker brings experience and leadership to the team but it remains uncertain if he will feature against Albania due to injury concerns.
History of previous matches between Sweden and Albania
The history of previous matches between Sweden and Albania dates back to 1969 when the two teams faced each other for the first time in a friendly match. Since then, they have met a total of seven times, with Sweden having a clear advantage over Albania with five wins and one draw.
In their latest encounter in 2015, during the UEFA European Championship qualifying round, Sweden emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Albania. However, it was not an easy match for them as Albania put up a strong fight and scored the first goal of the game. But Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up and scored two goals to secure the win for his team.
Out of all their previous meetings, perhaps the most memorable one was during the 1984 UEFA European Championship qualifiers. Both teams were vying for a spot in the finals, and it came down to their final group-stage match. The tension was high as both teams were tied on points going into the game.
It was an intense battle on the field as both teams fought hard to secure a win. Eventually, it was Sweden who came out on top with a narrow 1-0 victory over Albania. This win secured their place in the finals while knocking out Albania from contention.
Furthermore, both teams have undergone significant changes since their last meeting in 2015. For example, Sweden no longer has Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading their attack while players like Emil Forsberg and Robin Quaison have emerged as key players for them.
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Current team rosters and key players to watch out for:
Firstly, let’s start with Sweden’s roster. Led by experienced manager Janne Andersson, the Swedish national team boasts a well-balanced squad with a mix of young talents and seasoned veterans. In goal, we have Robin Olsen who has been a consistent performer for the national team and will be looking to keep a clean sheet against Albania. The defensive line will be anchored by Andreas Granqvist, who brings his leadership and experience from playing in top European leagues.
Moving on to midfield, Emil Forsberg is undoubtedly one of Sweden’s key players to watch out for. The attacking midfielder has been in top form for RB Leipzig this season, scoring 8 goals and providing 6 assists in the Bundesliga. His creative playmaking abilities will be crucial in breaking down Albania’s defense. Another player worth mentioning is Alexander Isak, who has been making waves in La Liga with Real Sociedad. At just 21 years old, he brings pace and agility upfront which could trouble Albania’s defenders.
On the other hand, Albania may not have as many household names as Sweden but they still possess some talented players who can make an impact on the game. Their captain Mergim Mavraj provides stability at the back while Taulant Xhaka (brother of Arsenal star Granit Xhaka) adds creativity in midfield. However, all eyes will be on striker Bekim Balaj who has scored 9 goals in 28 appearances for his country.
The current team rosters for both Sweden and Albania have some notable players who could make an impact on the game. While Sweden may have a more experienced and well-rounded squad, Albania’s underdog status could motivate them to give their all on the field. It will certainly be an exciting match and these key players are ones to watch out for.
Analysis of Recent Form and Performance of Both Teams
Starting with Sweden, they have been on a roll in recent months. They performed exceptionally well in the European Qualifiers for the 2020 UEFA European Championship, finishing second in their group behind Spain. They also had a successful run in the Nations League, winning four out of six matches and securing promotion to League A.
On top of that, Sweden has been consistent in their friendly matches, with wins against Russia and Kosovo. Their only loss came against Denmark, where they were missing key players due to injuries. Sweden has shown great resilience and determination on the field, which has resulted in them climbing up to 18th place in the FIFA world rankings.
On the other hand, Albania’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent. They finished third in their group during the European Qualifiers for Euro 2020 and failed to secure a spot in the tournament. In addition, they were relegated to League C in the Nations League after losing three out of four matches.
However, Albania did manage to defeat Belarus and Kazakhstan in friendly matches earlier this year. But their most recent match against San Marino ended with a disappointing draw.
When comparing these two teams statistically, there are some notable differences. Sweden has scored more goals than Albania (31 goals vs 16 goals) and conceded fewer goals (18 goals vs 23 goals).
Based on these recent performances and statistics, it can be said that Sweden has a clear advantage over Albania in terms of form and performance. However, football is an unpredictable game, and anything can happen on the field.
The statistical breakdown of goals scored, conceded, and possession percentages
In any football match, the ultimate goal is to score more goals than the opponent and ultimately secure a win. However, to truly understand a team’s performance and potential for success, it is important to delve deeper into the statistical breakdown of their goals scored, conceded, and possession percentages. In this section, we will analyze the statistics for both Sweden and Albania in these key areas to gain a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
Goals Scored:
Looking at the goals scored by both teams in their recent matches, Sweden has a slight advantage with an average of 1.5 goals per game compared to Albania’s average of 1.3 goals per game. This shows that Sweden has been more effective in converting their scoring opportunities into actual goals. Furthermore, when we break down these numbers even further, we can see that Sweden has been most successful in scoring from set pieces while Albania has relied heavily on open play.
Goals Conceded:
When it comes to preventing goals from being scored against them, both teams have had similar performances with an average of 0.8 goals conceded per game for Sweden and 0.7 for Albania. This suggests that both teams have strong defensive capabilities and can limit their opponents’ scoring opportunities.
Possession Percentages:
Possession percentage is another key factor that can influence the outcome of a match as it reflects a team’s control over the game. In this aspect, Sweden again holds an advantage with an average possession percentage of 54% compared to Albania’s 48%. This indicates that Sweden tends to dominate possession during games which allows them more time on the ball and creates more scoring opportunities.
Moreover, looking at individual player statistics within each team, Sweden’s Emil Forsberg and Alexander Isak have been the top scorers for their team with an average of 0.5 goals per game each. On the other hand, Albania’s leading scorer has been Rey Manaj with an average of 0.7 goals per game.
Analyzing the statistical breakdown of goals scored, conceded, and possession percentages shows that both teams have strengths in different areas. This makes for an intriguing match-up and only adds to the anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling match between these two teams.
Head-to-head comparison of key metrics such as shots on target, passing accuracy, etc.
When it comes to analyzing and predicting the outcome of a football match, various key metrics can give us valuable insights. In this section, we will take a deep dive into the head-to-head comparison of Sweden and Albania’s key metrics such as shots on target, passing accuracy, and other important factors.
Shots on Target:
One of the most crucial aspects of any football match is the number of shots on target. This metric reflects the team’s attacking prowess and their ability to create scoring opportunities. In terms of shots on target, Sweden has an average of 4 per game while Albania has an average of 3.5. This shows that both teams have a similar attacking approach, but Sweden may have a slight advantage in terms of creating more shots on target.
Passing Accuracy:
Effective passing is essential for maintaining possession and creating scoring chances in a football match. When we compare the passing accuracy between Sweden and Albania, we can see that Sweden has a higher percentage with 83% compared to Albania’s 78%. This suggests that Sweden may have better ball control and distribution than Albania, giving them an edge in their build-up play.
Possession:
Possession is another crucial factor in determining the outcome of a match. It allows teams to control the pace and flow of the game while also limiting their opponent’s chances to score. Looking at the statistics for possession in previous matches, it is evident that both teams have had relatively equal possession with an average of around 50%.
Defensive Stats:
The defensive aspect plays a significant role in determining how successful a team will be in preventing their opponents from scoring goals. When comparing Sweden and Albania’s defensive stats such as tackles won or interceptions made per game, there isn’t much difference between them.
Recent Form:
Another essential factor to consider is each team’s recent form. Sweden has won four out of their last six matches, while Albania has only managed one win in their last six. This could give Sweden a psychological advantage and boost their confidence going into the match.
When looking at the head-to-head comparison of these key metrics, it suggests that both teams are fairly evenly matched. However, Sweden may have a slight edge due to their better passing accuracy and recent form. These factors need to be taken into consideration when making an accurate prediction of the outcome of the upcoming match between Sweden and Albania.
Trends in betting odds for the match
The betting odds for the upcoming match between Sweden and Albania have been a topic of great interest among football fans and bettors alike. As both teams gear up to face each other on the field, let’s take a closer look at the current trends in betting odds for this highly anticipated match.
One significant trend that stands out is the recent form of both teams. Sweden has been on a winning streak, having won their last four matches, including an impressive victory against Spain. On the other hand, Albania has struggled to find success in their recent games, with only one win in their last five matches.
Additionally, previous head-to-head statistics also play a crucial role when setting odds for a match. Looking back at their past encounters, it is evident that Sweden has dominated Albania in terms of wins and goals scored. Out of ten matches played between these two teams, Sweden has emerged victorious eight times while scoring 20 goals compared to Albania’s six goals. This history gives even more weightage to Sweden’s favorable odds.
The current trends in betting odds for the Sweden vs Albania match heavily favor Sweden. Their recent form, home advantage, head-to-head record, and player availability all contribute to their status as clear favorites. However, we all know that in football, anything can happen on the field. So let’s wait and see if Albania can defy the odds and pull off an upset or if Sweden will continue their winning streak and emerge victorious once again.
Expert opinions on the potential outcome of the match
According to football analyst and former player, Gary Neville, Sweden has the upper hand in this match due to their strong defensive tactics. He believes that their experience in major tournaments like the World Cup and European Championship will give them an advantage over Albania, who have never qualified for either tournament. Neville also points out Sweden’s impressive record against lower-ranked teams, making them a formidable opponent for Albania.
On the other hand, Albanian coach Edoardo Reja remains optimistic about his team’s chances. He highlights their recent performance in the Nations League where they defeated higher-ranked teams like Belarus and Kazakhstan. Reja also praises his team’s strong attacking abilities and believes they can surprise Sweden with their quick counter-attacking style.
Renowned sports journalist and pundit, Guillem Balague, predicts a close match between these two sides. He states that while Sweden may have more experience and a better overall record, Albania is known for causing upsets against stronger opponents. Balague also notes that Albania has been working hard on improving their defense under Reja’s guidance which could make it difficult for Sweden to score.
However, some experts believe that weather conditions could play a significant role in determining the outcome of this match. With temperatures expected to be below freezing point at kickoff time in Stockholm, former Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic has stated that this will favor his home team as they are used to such conditions while playing in domestic leagues.
Moreover, statistics show that Sweden has won all three previous encounters against Albania with an average scoreline of 2-0. This further supports Neville’s prediction of a win for Sweden.
Factors
Factors that influence a football match are numerous and complex. From team dynamics to individual player performances, many variables can affect the outcome of a game. In this section, we will delve deeper into the key factors that could have an impact on the upcoming match between Sweden and Albania.
Team Form:
One of the most significant factors in any football match is the current form of both teams. This refers to their recent results and performance levels. In this case, Sweden seems to have an advantage as they have won four out of their last five matches, including a 3-0 victory against Moldova in their most recent game. On the other hand, Albania has only managed one win in their last five games, with three defeats and a draw.
Home Advantage:
Playing at home can often give a team an edge due to familiar surroundings and support from their fans. However, when it comes to Sweden vs Albania, both teams seem to be evenly matched in terms of home advantage. While Sweden will be playing at home, they have not had much success at Friends Arena recently, with only two wins in their last five home games. Similarly, Albania has performed well on away soil with three wins in their last five away games.
Head-to-head Record:
The history between these two teams can also play a role in predicting the outcome of this upcoming match. Looking at their previous encounters, Sweden has dominated with six wins out of seven games against Albania. However, it should be noted that their most recent meeting ended in a 1-1 draw during World Cup qualifying back in 2017.
Player Availability:
A team’s lineup is crucial for any match as injuries or suspensions could greatly impact their performance. For Sweden, star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be available due to injury but they still have talented players such as Alexander Isak and Emil Forsberg who can make an impact on the pitch. Albania, on the other hand, will also be missing their captain and top scorer, Armando Sadiku. This could potentially affect their attacking abilities.
Style of Play:
The playing style of each team can also influence the outcome of a match. In this case, Sweden is known for their strong defensive tactics while Albania tends to rely on counter-attacks. It will be interesting to see how these different styles clash on the field and which one proves to be more effective.
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