After a humbling defeat in midweek, Sweden will conclude their failed Euro 2024 qualification campaign on Sunday, when they host Estonia in Stockholm.

Losing 3-0 in Azerbaijan marks the low point of Janne Andersson's reign, which comes to an end this weekend with a dead-rubber against Group F's last-placed nation.

Match preview

Already eliminated from top-two contention, as Belgium and Austria sprinted off into the distance, Sweden came into this month's international period with little to play for except pride - but they failed to keep even that intact following a dismal display in Baku on Thursday night.

The Blagult found themselves two goals down within a matter of minutes at Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, and even after Azerbaijan had a man sent off just before the hour-mark they still could not respond: Emin Mahmudov struck for a second time in the dying embers to consign Janne Andersson's side to a 3-0 defeat.

With just seven points to their name from as many matches, Sweden have failed to qualify for the European Championship for the first time since 1996, so long-serving Andersson will step aside after Sunday's Group F finale.

National boss since 2016, the 61-year-old has presided over a disappointing few months, as his squad also came up short on the road to Qatar 2022; a below-par UEFA Nations League showing then left them without hope of sneaking into next summer's Euros via the playoffs.

Andersson signs off, then, with a low-key fixture in Stockholm, where Sweden will aim to do the double over Estonia, who they dismantled when the teams last met.

A September to forget saw Estonia suffer successive 5-0 defeats in Group F, as they followed a drubbing by the Swedes in Tallinn with a five-goal reverse against Belgium.

Last month, Thomas Haberli's men slipped to another loss - going down 2-0 at home to dark horses Azerbaijan - before holding Thailand to a 1-1 friendly draw a few days later.

Then, Thursday's 2-0 defeat to Austria was Estonia's sixth of the whole qualifying process, from which they have picked up just a solitary point so far.

Remarkably, though, FIFA's 118th-ranked nation could yet overcome such a series of failures and be handed a back-door route to next summer's finals in Germany: as things stand, the final playoff spot will be allocated to the top League D team from last year's Nations League - Estonia took maximum points in their section.

Therefore, even losing to near neighbours Sweden would not affect the Baltic country's chances of progressing, so they have very little to lose at Friends Arena on Sunday.

Team News

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak missed Sweden's calamitous defeat to Azerbaijan due to a groin injury, and despite failing to score in midweek, Viktor Gyokeres and Dejan Kulusevski should be retained as the hosts' front two in a classic 4-4-2 formation.

Isak's clubmate Emil Krafth returned to the squad this month following a year-long absence, and the right-back could be among those promoted to Janne Andersson's starting XI after replacing Linus Wahlqvist on Thursday.

Aston Villa reserve Robin Olsen - who has spoken of his shame at the Swedes' abject performance in Baku - starts in goal, while captain Victor Lindelof helms the back four.

Estonia, meanwhile, will most likely deploy a 5-3-2 setup in order to frustrate their opponents, with Arsenal's Karl Hein featuring between the posts.

Shamrock Rovers midfielder Markus Poom - son of former Gunners goalkeeper Mart Poom - is set to keep his place in the visitors' engine room, as Thomas Haberli selects a very similar side to that which started against Austria.

Sweden possible starting lineup:
Olsen; Krafth, Lindelof, Helander, Augustinsson; Svanberg, Ekdal, Cajuste, Forsberg; Kulusevski, Gyokeres

Estonia possible starting lineup:
Hein; Lilander, Tamm, Paskotsi, Mets, Pikk; Tunjov, Vetkal, Poom; Vastsuk, Anier

We say: Sweden 3-0 Estonia

Determined to finish off an awful qualifying campaign by sending Janne Andersson on his way with a win, Sweden should complete a double over Estonia, who are destined to finish rock-bottom of Group F. An overhaul will be needed in the months ahead, but the Blagult still have enough ability to put one of Europe's weakest sides to the sword.


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