Sweden and Romania go meet for Strawberry Arena on Friday for UEFA Nations League B Group Four match. Kick-off na 14:45. Graham Potter na Sweden manager, while Gheorghe Hagi dey lead Romania. Lineups don announce and players dey warm up.
Sweden enter di game after disappointing 2026 World Cup. Dem start World Cup with 5-1 win over Tunisia, but things no go well after. Blue and Yellow want first win in four games. For 2024-25 Nations League C, Sweden win five of six, no lose, keep three clean sheets, top group, and gain promotion to League B.
But recent form dey shaky: two defeats from last three outings, only one win from past six. For home, Sweden lose only two of last 11, win seven and draw two. Potter sideline go miss Newcastle United right winger Anthony Elanga, im dey recover from knee injury. Arsenal Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool Alexander Isak should provide firepower, with wing-backs Emil Holm and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
For defense, centre-backs Gustaf Lagerbielke and Isak Hien get groin and hamstring injuries. Goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom get knee issue. So Potter fit start three-man defence of Elliot Stroud, Carl Starfelt and Victor Lindelof in front of Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.
Romania missed World Cup but return to Nations League competition wey don give dem success. Tricolorii also gain promotion from Nations League C last cycle, with six wins from six. Dem score 18 goals, average three per match. Only Sweden score more with 19.
Romania hope to repeat 2-1 win over Wales in early June. But form mixed: win two, draw one, lose two of last five overall. Away form worse: no win in last six away matches, four defeats, winless run since March 2025.
For Romania, Daniel Birligea fit lead line, supplied from wide by Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila. Ianis Hagi fit start centre park with Razvan Marin and Vlad Dragomir, ahead of centre-halves Radu Dragusin and Andrei Burca.
Confirmed Sweden lineup for 4-4-2: Viktor Johansson; Emil Holm, Carl Starfelt, Victor Lindelof, Elliot Stroud; Alexander Bernhardsson, Lucas Bergvall, Yasin Ayari, Sebastian Nanasi; Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak. Romania confirmed lineup for 4-2-3-1: Ionut Andrei Radu; Andrei Ratiu, Radu Dragusin, Andrei Coubis, Nicusor Bancu; Virgil Ghita, Tudor Baluta; Dennis Man, Razvan Marin, Ianis Hagi; Louis Munteanu.
Last head-to-head saw Sweden claim 2-0 Euro 2028 away win over Romania at Arena Nationala. Sweden recent stats: 3 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws, average 1.5 goals from 4.1 shots on goal and 10.5 attempts. Dem average 46.2% possession, 410.5 passes, 4.8 corners, concede 2.1 goals and 5.3 corners from 5.4 shots on goal and 12.1 attempts. Top scorer Viktor Gyokeres get 5 goals, Anthony Elanga 3, Yasin Ayari 2. Alexander Isak top assists with 3.
Romania recent stats: 5 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, average 9.7 attempts, 4.6 shots on goal, 2.3 goals. Hagi team average 53.5% possession, 4.6 corners awarded, 3.6 corners against, concede 1.2 goals from 3.3 shots on goal and 7.0 attempts. Razvan Marin top scorer with 3, while Ianis Hagi, Dennis Man, Daniel Birligea and Denis Dragus get 2. Nicusor Bancu, Valentin Mihaila and Ianis Hagi all make 2 assists in last 10 games, while Horatiu Moldovan get one clean sheet.
Sweden previous game: dem lose 3-0 to France at MetLife Stadium in World Cup. Potter side get only 39% possession and three shots on target. Romania previous game: dem lose 1-0 to Turkey at Tupras Stadyumu in World Cup qualifier. Tricolours no get plenty ball, 38% possession and no shots on goal.
