Sweden vs Azerbaijan Prediction: Gyokeres to have the last say

Sweden have already secured their return to League B in the Uefa Nations League but they still have one game left to play. They host Azerbaijan on Tuesday (19:45. YouTube), who are bottom of the group and are at risk of relegation. They need to win to have any chance of survival.

The home side have been impressive in this Nations League campaign and they will look to go out with a bang on Tuesday. Read on for my Sweden vs Azerbaijan prediction, including the latest match odds and team news.

Sweden vs Azerbaijan Odds

Sweden are 1/6, or an 85.7% chance, of winning this match. Azerbaijan are a whopping 16/1 to pick up their first three points of the campaign, giving them an implied probability of 5.9%. The draw is marketed at 13/2 (13.3%).

Both teams to score can be backed at 5/4 and over 2.5 goals is available at 4/9.

Strikers Viktor Gyokeres (five goals) and Alexander Isak (four goals) have been on fire for Sweden in the Nations League this season. They are priced at 8/13 and 1/1 respectively to score anytime during this match.

Football Odds

Team News

The hosts are likely to be forced into one change from the weekend's victory over Slovakia as defender Victor Lindelof was forced off due to injury. This could be another blow for the Manchester United man, who only just recently returned from a spell on the sidelines. Carl Starfelt was the man to replace him in defence, so he is expected to get the nod to start in Stockholm.

Boss Jon Dahl Tomasson could be tempted to make changes to his side with promotion secured, allowing some rest to the key stars who got the job done. This means we could see either one or both of Gyokeres and Isak dropped for this encounter.

This could present an opportunity for Darmstadt forward Isac Lidberg, who has 10 goals in 12 matches across all club competitions this season. He was drafted in after several players withdrew from the squad, including Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.

Tottenham Hotspur's Dejan Kulusevski could also be rested for this one, but his club teammate Lucas Bergvall could be promoted to the starting XI. Stoke City's Viktor Johansson should continue between the sticks because of his fine performances for both club and country.

New York Red Bulls' attacker Emil Forsberg could also come into the starting XI if Tomasson decided to hand minutes to his fringe players.

Azerbaijan have been hit with a few injuries this month, with Emin Mahmudov and Rustam Ahmadzada both pulling out of the squad. Their main striker Mahir Emreli is back after serving a suspension, though, and he could replace Qarabag's Musa Gurbanli, who filled in for him at the weekend against Estonia.

Seasoned goalkeeper Mehdi Jannatov was dropped after conceding 11 goals in four matches in the Nations League, so Rza Jafarov should be rewarded with his third cap after keeping a clean sheet last time out.

Sweden to win 3-0 @ 11/2

There is little value to be had in backing Sweden to win, so I have gone brave by giving a score prediction. I think a 3-0 win for them is fair, even if some of the key stars are limited to potential cameo appearances this time around.

The players who could be given a rare start for their country will want to impress their manager to try and convince him that they deserve more minutes when the next international break rolls around in March.

I do think that he could leave a few of his most influential figures in the side to help the young and fringe stars who could come into the team at the Strawberry Arena, so one of Isak and Gyokeres could retain their place in the side.

We have seen Sweden score at least three goals in three of their five Nations League matches to date, and two of them saw them win to nil. Azerbaijan did grab a consolation goal in the reverse fixture but that was right at the start of the campaign where they would have had a tiny bit of confidence, which has taken a lot of knocks over the past few months.

They will have been pleased with a clean sheet and point at the weekend but they are facing the strongest team in the group, who will show them no mercy even with a potentially weakened side.

Viktor Gyokeres last scorer @ 5/2

I do think this man will be prioritised for rest over Isak, so we could see him start the game on the bench, but I think he will still be given a run out in this match. I could be wrong and he could even start again, but either way I like his chances for this market.

I've never tipped a last goalscorer before but I think this is a good time to do so as I do think Gyokeres will be limited to a cameo in the second half. However, because of his quality, he has the ability to have a huge impact on the game with a limited amount of time on the pitch.

He could be coming onto the pitch against some very tired legs, belonging to players who may already know that their fate in the Nations League has been sealed.

The Sporting CP striker has 28 goals in 23 matches for club and country this season, making him the most in-form attacker on the planet. I think he can end this campaign with a flourish.

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