Sweden vs Poland preview: Win or bust for Poles in Group E clash

Group E: Sweden v Poland, kick-off 5pm (UK time, ITV4)

Sweden are sitting pretty in first place going into their final match of Group E, where they will face a misfiring Poland side who need a win to stand any chance of progressing.

The Swedes cannot finish bottom and are already guaranteed to reach the last 16 thanks to results elsewhere earlier this week.

Robert Lewandowski is a goal away from becoming Poland’s all-time top scorer at the European Championships and the nation’s hopes rest firmly on his shoulders.

Recent form

The Scandinavian side will be more than pleased with their start to Euro 2020, picking up four points from their opening two matches and not conceding any goals in the process.

Momentum is certainly with the Blagult, who have now won six of their last seven games in all competitions — a stark contrast to the form of their opponents in Saint Petersburg today.

Poland were rescued by their poster-boy Lewandowski last time out when his second-half equaliser against Spain kept their qualification hopes alive.

But they have now only won once in their last nine matches, and that victory was against minnows Andorra back in March.

Danielson hitting new heights

Marcus Danielson has played a pivotal role in both of Sweden’s opening matches at Euro 2020 whilst partnering Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof in the backline.

Playing his club football in China for Dalian Professional, the 32-year-old is very much a late bloomer when it comes to international football, only earning his first cap in 2019.

But he has been making up for lost time this summer, with 8.5 completed clearances per 90 minutes on action — the most of any player at the tournament.

Danielson will be a busy man once more when tasked with marking Bayern’s goal machine Lewandowski.

On that prospect, he said: “We can't focus on just one player. 

"Of course, he’s their best and most important player, but we need to defend as a team — against him and the rest of the Polish team.”

Lewandowski key for Poland

The Polish side naturally pin their hopes on Lewandowski — and if they are to make it through, he will probably have to be at his excellent best.

But the winner of FIFA’s The Best Men's Player award in 2020 doesn’t have it as easy with his country as he does with his club.

More often than not, he will be seen dropping much deeper for the Eagles and his impact in the opposition box has been limited so far this summer.

With 67 international goals to date though, his county will be in an expectant mood tonight.

The permutations

Poland know that only a win will do, but they must also keep their fingers crossed that Slovakia vs Spain in Seville does not end in a draw.

It’s a much simpler task for Sweden — win and they are packing their bags for Glasgow and a place in the last 16 as Group E winners.

Even with a defeat, the lowest they can finish is third — but they would still go through as one of the best third-placed teams regardless with four points already in the bag.

Swedes going for six in a row

Sweden have an excellent record against their opponents this afternoon, with a total of 14 wins from their 26 meetings.

Notably, they are aiming for a sixth triumph in succession against the Poles — a run that stretches back to a draw in May 1997.

You would have to turn the clock back almost 30 years to find the last time Poland ran out winners against Sweden, which came in a 2-0 victory in August 1991.

They will need a similar showing if progress to the last 16 is on the cards this evening.