Sweden vs Romania – News and Probable Lineups

In a bid to move on from a frustrating World Cup campaign in 2026, Suécia is set to begin their UEFA Nations League B journey this Friday at Strawberry Arena against their Group Four adversaries, Romênia.

The Blue and Yellow are aiming to break a four-match winless streak, while Tricolorii hopes to extend their unbeaten run to three following their victory back in June.

Match overview

Graham Potter’s Suécia embarked on this summer’s World Cup filled with optimism after a 5-1 thrashing of Tunísia in their initial match, but they have struggled since then, looking to regain their momentum as autumn arrives.

With that goal in mind, the Blue and Yellow can take comfort in having won five out of their six matches in the Nations League C during the 2024-25 season.

Suécia also finished that league without a loss, achieving three clean sheets, and their excellent performance earned them a promotion to League B.

Nonetheless, having suffered two defeats in their last three games and securing only one win from their last six, fans may have some concerns regarding this international break.

Conversely, the more optimistic supporters would point out that Suécia has only lost two of their last eleven encounters on home soil, winning seven and drawing two.

On the other hand, Gheorghe Hagi’s Romênia did not qualify for the World Cup, but they are returning to a tournament that has brought them significant success in recent years.

The Tricolorii also earned their spot in League B by finishing first in Nations League C last time, with an impeccable record of six wins from six matches that surpassed that of their competitors.

Additionally, Romênia scored an impressive total of 18 goals across those games, averaging three goals per match, a figure bested only by Suécia’s tally of 19.

As Friday’s match approaches, Hagi’s team aims to replicate their 2-1 success over País de Gales in early June, although they come in with mixed results, having won two, drawn one, and lost two of their last five matches.

To worsen the situation, the underdogs this week have not won any of their last six away fixtures, suffering four defeats in a winless stretch dating back to March 2025.

Team News

Suécia will be missing Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga due to a knee injury, however, Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak are expected to provide enough attacking threat, supported by Emil Holm and Gabriel Gudmundsson in the wing-back positions.

At the other end of the field, centre-backs Gustaf Lagerbielke and Isak Hien are dealing with separate groin and hamstring injuries, and goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has his own knee concern, which may lead Potter to opt for a three-man defence featuring Elliot Stroud, Carl Starfelt, and Victor Lindelof, shielding Stoke’s shot-stopper Viktor Johansson.

For Romênia, Daniel Birligea is a candidate to spearhead the attack this Friday, assisted from the flanks by Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila.

Elsewhere, Ianis Hagi could feature in the midfield alongside Razvan Marin and Vlad Dragomir, providing protection for centre-backs Radu Dragusin and Andrei Burca.

Suécia probable starting XI:

Johansson; Stroud, Starfelt, Lindelof; Holm, Bergvall, Karlstrom, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Gyokeres, Isak

Romania probable starting XI:

Radu; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; Marin, Hagi, Dragomir; Man, Birligea, Mihaila

While Suécia may be struggling and their morale may be low after a disappointing World Cup experience, they should have the capability to overcome Romênia on their home ground this week.

The visitors have not secured an away victory in over 18 months, and it would not be surprising if they faced another defeat come Friday.