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Spain vs Sweden: Both squads needing to overcome Covid troubles for Euro 2020 opener

Spain and Sweden have both been hit by Covid outbreaks, but both will be eying a strong start to their Euro 2020 campaigns.

When: Monday June 14, 20:00 GMT

Where: Estadio La Cartuja, Seville

How to watch: BBC

Best Bets

1-1, 2-2 or 3-3 Draw at 11/2

Draw half-time/Spain full-time at 3/1

Marcus Berg to score any time at 7/2

Spain get their Euro 2020 campaign up and running in Seville on Monday, and they are not without their worries.

A transitional squad that sees no Real Madrid players selected and a Covid outbreak in their training bubble has given boss Luis Enrique plenty to think about.

Sweden are not without their problems either and have also been disrupted by Covid, so the winner this one may simply come down to who is coping better.

Last three meetings

Sweden 1-1 Spain (Qualifier - October 15, 2019)
These two sides met in qualifying for the tournament so they will certainly know each other well heading into the Euros.
The last time they met Spain needed a last-gasp equaliser to dig them out of a hole, but they left with a valuable point.
Marcus Berg gave Sweden the lead five minutes after half time, and that looked like it was going to be enough for Jan Andersson's men.
However, substitute Rodrigo grabbed the leveller in stoppage time.
Spain 3-0 Sweden (Qualifier - June 10, 2019)
It was a much more straightforward win for Spain in the other game in qualifying, although they left it all a little late.

Sergio Ramos, who has been excluded from the Euro 2020 squad, broker the deadlock on 64 minutes from the penalty spot.

The Spanish then added some gloss to the scoreline in the last five minutes though Alvaro Morata, again from the spot, and Mikel Oyarzabal.

On paper it looks a routine win, but it shows how tough the Swedes could be to break down at the Euros.
Spain 2-1 Sweden (Euro 2008 - June 14, 2008)
You have to go all the way back to Euro 2008 for the third most recent clash between these two sides, and it came in a major tournament while Spain were in their pomp.
Luis Aragones' men went on to win the tournament, but they ran into a typically resolute Sweden side in the group stage and needed an injury-time winner from David Villa to get over the line.

Earlier on, Fernando Torres and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had traded first-half goals.

Spain struggling, but not for quality.

Spain are no longer the automatic favourites for just about any tournament they enter, although they are far from a spent force.

There is probably a slightly unfamiliar look to the squad these days. There are no players from Real Madrid in the squad at all, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

Can Spain deliver at the Euros?

The tiki-taka era is long gone and Spain are trying to get more directness into their play. That has meant a place for the likes of Adama Traore, so expect a more high-octane Spain this year than you may be used to.
The Covid outbreak has robbed them of the services of captain Sergio Busquets for this fixture though.

Spain squad

Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Robert Sanchez, Unai Simon
Defenders: Aymeric Laporte, Jose Gaya, Jordi Alba, Pau Torres, Eric Garcia, Diego Llorente, Cesar Azpilicueta
Midfielders: Marcos Llorente, Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Pedri, Thiago, Koke, Fabian
Forwards: Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Gerard Moreno, Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, Pablo Sarabia

Sweden have their own problems

It isn't just Spain who have been denied a key player due to a Covid outbreak. Sweden have lost Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski for the opener after a positive test too.

"It is very sad," manager Jan Andersson said. "Sad for him and for all of us, and it causes some concern, but we are following all protocols.
"We will not call in any reserves and hope that he can rejoin the squad after the match against Spain."
They have also lost Bologna ace Mattias Svanberg for this fixture due to a badly time positive Covid test.

Dejan Kulusevski

Sweden squad

Goalkeepers: Karl-Johan Johnsson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Robin Olsen
Defenders: Emil Krafth, Victor Lindelof, Marcus Danielson, Martin Olsson, Ludwig Augustinsson, Pontus Jansson, Filip Helander, Mikael Lustig, Andreas Granqvist
Midfielders: Emil Forsberg, Ken Sema, Viktor Claesson, Dejan Kulusevski, Sebastian Larsson, Albin Ekdal, Kristoffer Olsson, Jens-Lys Cajuste, Mattias Svanberg, Gustav Svensson
Forwards: Marcus Berg, Alexander Isak, Robin Quaison, Jordan Larsson

International head-to-head

Spain wins: 6

Draws: 5

Sweden wins: 3

Goalscorer bets

Alvaro Morata is usually a threat for Spain, and you'd expect him to be their main man again at the Euros in terms of leading the line. You can back him at 6/5 to score anytime, and with him sometimes on penalty duties that may be a sound bet.

However, Villarreal hitman Gerard Moreno could be their best bet for goals, and he is 10/3 to score the first goal.

With no Ibrahimovic, experienced schemer Marcus Berg may be Sweden's best bet for goals in what looks like a very workmanlike squad.

He is priced at around 7/2 to score anytime.

READ MORE: Every Cristiano Ronaldo goal at the European Championships

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