Sweden vs Serbia
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Today’s secondary featured game is the International Friendly between Sweden and Serbia in Solna.
Sweden enter this game on the back of a 3-2 win against Iceland. Sweden looked strong in attack in that game with Ibrahimovic seemingly revelling in his new role behind the front man. Not only did Sweden score three goals but they scored three good goals so I’m pleased with that aspect of their game. Defensively, the news wasn’t so good as Iceland damaged them with some ease, although to be fair to Iceland, they have got arguably the best squad now that they’ve ever had. Iceland played some good attacking football and earned the close scoreline, in my view. With Mellberg retiring after this forthcoming European Championships, it’s hard to envision this Swedish defence getting any better so Sweden pushing on in games and trying to score more goals does make more sense with the proviso that they actually take their chances.
They’ve got a different game today, though, Sweden. Serbia are a nation that prides themselves on their rock-solid defence and why not indeed? They’ve got a fine back four with bags of strength and positional sense. The absence of Vidic would be felt by anyone and Serbia are no exception to that ruling. However, defence is one area that Serbia can afford absentees because the likes of Ivanovic and Subotic are there to fill the gaps. However, Serbia’s problem right now is attacking with any kind of conviction and it seems that they’re losing more players each time I see them play. There are already a number of casualties when looking at their regulars. For example, let’s look at their strikers. Towering Birmingham City striker Zigic isn’t in the squad, to start with. His immobile strike partner Pantelic isn’t in the squad either. Pacey Milan Jovanovic of Anderlecht isn’t in the squad and they’ll undoubtedly miss his pace and movement. Sulejmani isn’t in the squad but that’s perhaps understandable as he only produces his best once in every eight games or so. Who else is outside the squad? Box-to-box midfielder Kacar, set piece specialist Milijas, veteran Stankovic, skilful Krasic, incisive Ninkovic, and speedy Kuzmanovic. Ljajic joined them out of the squad after being booted out of the camp by Serbia’s new controversial boss Sinisa Mihailjovic, which wasn’t a great surprise as those two don’t get on anyway and both have very big personalities. Amusingly, he was ejected from the team due to not singing the national anthem, which is just hilarious in itself. Overall, this leaves Serbia’s attack looking toothless to say the least. Wonderkid Markovic is in the squad but he is still a kid, after all – you have to question how much he can do in this rather unfamiliar attack. The only recognisable names supporting him are Genoa’s playmaker Jankovic and set piece specialist Tosic from CSKA Moscow. If that’s the best Serbia can do then even Sweden’s defence shouldn’t be unduly troubled here.
With the above in mind, and considering that Sweden are preparing for a big tournament, I fancy the hosts to enter this one with all guns blazing and to make it count, too. Serbia will always be a threat from set pieces and Sweden need to be clever to penetrate their defence but they’ve got the players to do that in Svensson, Toivonen, Ibrahimovic etc. so taking Sweden to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 6/5 looks an interesting bet today.
Edit: Serbia boss Mihailjovic has actually named his starting line-up as Aleksic (Kahriman at half-time), Subotic, Maksimovic, Lukovic (D.Tosic), Tomic, Petrovic, Mijailovic (Ignjovski), Obradovic, Lazovic, Z.Tosic, Lekic (Scepovic at half-time) – this line-up convinces me even more that this tip is the right one today!
Verdict: Sweden to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 6/5.
Tuesday’s Picks
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
International Friendlies:
Sweden vs Serbia (7) 2-0
Turkey vs Ukraine (5) 2-2
Austria vs Romania (4) 1-1
France vs Estonia (8) over 2.5 goals
Belarus vs Azerbaijan (7) 2-0
Armenia vs Kazakhstan (7) 2-1
UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifiers:
Denmark vs Republic of Macedonia (7) 2-0
Estonia vs Georgia (6) 0-0
Romania vs Slovakia (6) 1-0
Andorra vs Czech Republic (8) 0-2
Slovenia vs Finland (4) 1-1
Austria vs Luxembourg (7) 1-0
Netherlands vs Bulgaria (6) 2-1
Liechtenstein vs Hungary (6) 1-2
Faroe Islands vs Serbia (5) 0-1
Iceland vs Azerbaijan (5) 1-1
Danish 1st Division:
Roskilde vs Randers (5)
Vestjaelland vs Blokhus (7)
Naestved vs Fredericia (5) over 2.5 goals
AB Copenhagen vs Bronshoj (5) over 2.5 goals
Hjorring vs Hobro (6)
Enjoy your free betting tips!