Big Game Focus: Sweden v England

The Big Game Focus takes a look at the largest game of the day, giving you possible team line-ups, form and betting advice.

Sweden and England will both have a golden chance to reach the last four of the World Cup when they meet in their quarter-final clash this evening. Here is our guide to the match.

Betting tips

Harry Kane has carried his superb form for Tottenham into the World Cup with England. In just three appearances, the Three Lions’ captain has scored six goals. Those goals comprise two thirds of all his side’s goals at the tournament so far. The team will be counting on him to turn up again if they are to beat Sweden. Bet on him as First Goalscorer at amazing odds of 4.00 here.

Sweden have confounded doubters with their performances in the World Cup so far. They were especially impressive in a 3-0 win over Mexico in the final match of Group F. They have scored in every single game so far and they will fancy their chances of breaching an English defence that have conceded in every match at the World Cup. Click here for odds of Over 0.5 Goals at odds of 1.75.

Gareth Southgate has done an impressive job of turning around England’s fortunes since he took over from Sam Allardyce last year. Under his guidance, they have won seven of their last eight competitive matches, with the only blot being when a weakened side lost to Belgium in the group stage. Sweden are no pushovers but England should have enough in the tank and in reserve to see them off. Back England to win at 1.90 here.

Team news

Janne Andersson will be without Celtic defender Mikael Lustig, who is suspended after he received a second yellow card of the tournament against Switzerland on Tuesday. 23-year old Emil Krafth of Bologna is likely to take his place.

Dele Alli is a doubt after appearing to suffer a recurrence of the groin issue that forced him off England’s tournament opener against Tunisia.

Likely line-ups:

Sweden: Olsen; Krafth, Lindelöf, Granqvist, Augustinsson; Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Berg, Toivonen

England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Lingard, Henderson, Alli, Young; Sterling, Kane