match preview
Estonia are competing in this C League campaign after winning their promotion in unassailable fashion from the Nations League 2022-23.
They scored 10 goals and conceded two, taking maximum points from four matches to the top of a group containing Malta and San Marino.
After sailing through to promotion, Estonia found themselves at the receiving end of reality shock in their first two matches in the 2024-25 Nations League.
Jurgen Henn’s side fell to a narrow loss, 0-1, in their opening match against Slovakia, then shipped in three past their defense in an away bout with Sweden.
But finally, Estonia opened their account during a home encounter on Friday against Azerbaijan, with each of Ioan Yakovlev, Vlasiy Sinyavskiy, and Rocco Robert Shein getting into the scorebook to aid Estonia to a convincing 3-0 victory and third position in Group C1.
With just one defeat out of the last seven Nations League home games, Estonia would like to make the most of their home advantage and break a five-game losing streak of hands from Sweden.
Sweden are in League C for the first time after their back-to-back relegations from the Nations League.
After being relegated from League A in 2018-19, Sweden once again had an unfruitful Nations League 2022-23, finishing up in relegations after garnering only four points in six matches.
Sweden have made a very good start in their bid to return to League B, having recorded two wins and one draw in their three matches in the 2024-25 Nations League.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side opened with a 3-1 away victory against Azerbaijan and followed up with an easy 3-0 home win over Estonia with a brace by Viktor Gyokeres and one goal from Alexander Isak.
On Friday, Sweden had the opportunity to claim a third consecutive victory in a row when they took on Slovakia in a Nations League match, but while Yasin Ayari and Ken Sema had the Blågult 2-0 up at half-time, David Strelec hit back twice in the second half to draw the game. Even so, their two-goal collapse was not a complete disaster for the world’s 18th-ranked side.
Although they would have preferred the win, the draw was enough to see Sweden stay top of Group C1 though only by virtue of goal difference. From a historical perspective, Janne Andersson’s team, who’ve previously played three games away in the competition, will hope to claim their fourth win. Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about Monday’s Nations League clash.
Estonia’s recent form: LLW All competitions, last six matches: LWWLLW Sweden’s recent form: WWD All competitions, last six matches: WLLWWD Team News:
Both teams have a host of first team players unavailable as Estonia’s Maksim Paskotsi left the field due to injury in their game against Azerbaijan and was replaced by Rasmus Peetson in the first half, who in all likelihood will make his first start in the Nations Leagues. Martin Vetkal could feature from the first whistle after Shein’s sending off.
Sweden are without goalkeeper Robin Olsen and defender Carl Starfelt, while Eric Smith and Gustaf Nilsson withdrew from the squad. Defensive midfielder Jens Cajuste and playmaker Mattias Svanberg missed the Sweden squad through injury and goalscorer Alexander Isak will also miss out. Their draw against Slovakia saw Victor Lindelof and Hugo Larsson come off the bench and they will fancy their chances of making it into Janne Andersson’s starting XI on Monday. P
Possible starting lineups:
Estonia: Hein; Peetson, Tamm, Mets, Schjonning-Larsen; Ainsalu, Vetkal; Yakovlev, Kait, Sinyavskiy; Anier
Sweden: Johansson; Lindelof, Hien, Gudmundsson; Eliasson, Larsson, Karlström, Saletros, Sema; Gyökeres, Kulusevski
