France will kick start its 2020-21 UEFA Nations League campaign with a clash against Sweden on Saturday night.
Match Timing: September 06 (12:15 AM)
Team Preview
France and Sweden face off each other at Friend’s Arena in the 2nd edition of the UFEA Nations League. The World Champion France had a disappointing campaign in the inaugural edition of the tournament as they couldn’t process from the group stage. Les Bleus finished second in the group that contended Netherlands and Germany. Didier Deschamps's men are placed in Group 3 of League A, along with defending champions Portugal and the WC runner-up Croatia. The reigning world champions won eight of their 10 matches in the European qualification process and finished ahead of Turkey. France is going to miss the services of Paul Pogba and Tanguy Ndombele who recently tested positive for COVID-19. Raphael Varane, Antoine Griezmann, and Kylian Mbappe will start in the lineup. Deschamps would keen to see the best version of Anthony Martial, who had a great season for Man United.
Meanwhile, Sweden promoted to League-A, after finishing top in group B2 in 2018-19, ahead of Russia and Turkey. The Blue and Yellows will face top European sides in League A and they would keen to improve their game ahead of the European qualification. Janne Andersson's side had a tremendous campaign in qualifiers, finishing second behind Spain in Group F. Sweden can back themselves as they won six of their last eight games in all competitions. Manchester United center-back Victor Lindelof and midfielder Sebastian Larsson are expected to feature in the starting side. Juventus attacker Dejan Kulusevski is likely to get his second national cap on Saturday.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Sweden
Lineup: Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Helander, Augustinsson; Larsson, Ekdal, Olsson, Forsberg; Quaison, Berg
Current Form: W D W W W W
France
Lineup: Lloris; Dubois, Varane, Lenglet, F Mendy; Kante, Sissoko; Martial, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
Current Form: W W W D W W
Key Players
Sweden
Dejan Kulusevski
4 goals & 4 assist in Serie A 2019-20
Sebastian Larsson
2 goals & 2 assist in Euro 2020 qualification
France
Antoine Griezmann
20 goals in all league competitions 2019-20
Anthony Martial
17 goals & 6 assist in Premier League 2019-20
