Sweden take on Poland at Strawberry Arena on Monday night with an early advantage already established in UEFA Nations League Group B4. Graham Potterâs side opened with a 2-1 win over Romania, while Poland were held to a goalless draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina in Warsaw.
The Swedes looked sharp going forward in that opening fixture. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres were on target, while Lucas Bergvall and Yasin Ayari gave Potterâs midfield real purpose in possession. Isak has since left camp injured, but Sweden still have enough attacking quality to make the most of home advantage.
Poland were not poor against Bosnia, creating several good openings without finding a finish. Jan Urban has Robert Lewandowski, Piotr ZieliĆski and Nicola Zalewski available to hurt Sweden, although the loss of Jakub KamiĆski after his injury against Bosnia narrows their options.
These teams produced five goals when Sweden won the World Cup play-off final in Solna in March, and another open contest is possible here. Our prediction is Sweden 2-1 Poland, with Sweden to Win at odds of 2.10 our best bet.
Quick Prediction
Best Bet: Sweden to Win
Market: Match Winner
Correct Score Prediction: Sweden 2-1 Poland
Odds: 2.10
Confidence: âââââ
Expected Goals: Over 2.5 Goals
Both Teams To Score: Yes
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Date: 28 September 2026
đïž Venue: Strawberry Arena, Solna
đ Competition: UEFA Nations League
Match Preview
Sweden began their Nations League campaign in the right manner, beating Romania 2-1 at Strawberry Arena on Friday. Potter asked his side to take the initiative and they did exactly that early on, with Ayari threading Isak through for the opener before Gyökeres turned in the rebound from Bergvallâs long-range effort.
There was plenty to like about the way Sweden moved the ball through midfield. Bergvall can carry possession into more advanced areas, while Ayari has the passing range to find runners early. Sebastian Nanasi and Alexander Bernhardsson gave them width against Romania, although both also looked to come inside and support the front two.
The change enforced by Isakâs absence is a sizeable one. He roamed intelligently off the front against Romania and linked the play well, but Gyökeres remains a powerful focal point after scoring in the opener. Benjamin Nygren is the most likely player to come into the attack, with Williot Swedberg, Patrik WĂ„lemark and Paulos Abraham other options Potter can turn to.
Sweden do have issues at the other end. Romania found space on the counter-attack and scored through Dennis Man, while the hosts have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 senior internationals. The injuries to Emil Holm and Hjalmar Ekdal also leave Potter with decisions to make in defence.
Poland arrive after a 0-0 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina that was more frustrating than alarming. Urbanâs side had the clearer chances, with Sebastian SzymaĆski twice denied and ZieliĆski, Zalewski and Matty Cash all involved in promising moments. They simply lacked the final touch.
Urban used a 3-4-2-1 shape, with Cash and MichaĆ SkĂłraĆ providing the width and ZieliĆski supplying the class in central areas. SzymaĆski worked behind Lewandowski, while Zalewski made an immediate impact after replacing the injured KamiĆski. That left-sided threat will matter in Solna, particularly because Swedenâs right-back position has been disrupted by Holmâs hamstring injury.
Lewandowski remains Polandâs main reference point, but this is not an attack that relies on him alone. ZieliĆski can unlock a defence from deeper areas, Zalewski is direct when he receives the ball wide or between the lines, and Karol Ćwiderski gives Urban another goal threat from the bench. Poland scored in each of their last five competitive away matches, even though they have won only two of them.
Sweden should have more of the ball and more territory, but Poland have enough pace and experience to make their hosts work for the points. The home sideâs sharper opening display and recent record in this stadium tip the balance.
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Why Sweden to Win Makes Sense
At 2.10, Sweden to Win is the right way to approach this match. Potterâs team have already settled into the Nations League group with three points, whereas Poland have had only three days to recover from a demanding draw in Warsaw and now face a difficult trip to Solna.
The key reason to side with Sweden is the way they attacked Romania. Bergvall and Ayari influenced both goals, while Gyökeres again showed his value inside the box. Isakâs injury is the obvious concern, but Sweden are not changing their whole approach; Nygren can join Gyökeres in a front two and the midfield still has players capable of feeding the forwards.
Polandâs 0-0 against Bosnia showed that they can be organised in Urbanâs back-three system, but it also exposed a familiar problem. They created enough to score and did not take those chances. Away from home, they conceded three goals in their most recent trip to Sweden, and their defensive unit may again be stretched by Swedenâs movement around Gyökeres.
The main risk is Polandâs counter-attacking threat. ZieliĆski, Zalewski and Lewandowski can punish turnovers, and Sweden conceded on a Romanian break on Friday. Still, Sweden have the stronger momentum, home support and a more settled attacking rhythm from matchday one. A one-goal home win looks the most likely outcome.
- ✓Sweden opened Nations League Group B4 with a 2-1 home win over Romania.
- ✓Poland began their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- ✓Sweden beat Poland 3-2 at Strawberry Arena in the March 2026 World Cup play-off final.
- ✓Sweden have scored 19 goals and conceded 20 across their latest 10 senior internationals.
- ✓Both Teams To Score landed in nine of Swedenâs latest 10 senior internationals.
- ✓Poland scored in each of their last five competitive away matches.
- ✓Poland have won only two of their last five competitive away games.
Team News
Sweden will be without Alexander Isak, who scored against Romania before leaving camp with a minor injury. Right-back Emil Holm has also left the squad after suffering a hamstring problem in that game, while Hjalmar Ekdal is unavailable after picking up a minor injury. Mattias Svanberg withdrew before the camp, and Gustaf Lagerbielke was unavailable for the Romania fixture.
Daniel Svensson replaced Holm against Romania and is the obvious candidate to fill the right-sided defensive role. Victor Nilsson Lindelöf should continue as captain at centre-back, likely alongside Carl Starfelt, while Gyökeres is now Swedenâs clear central attacking leader. Nygren is the leading candidate to replace Isak.
Poland have lost Jakub KamiĆski after he was injured against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Zalewski replaced him during that match and is the natural option to start in his place. Goalkeepers Kamil Grabara and BartĆomiej DrÄ gowski are also out of the camp through injury, leaving Marcin BuĆka as the latest starting goalkeeper.
Urban has selection choices after changing personnel at half-time against Bosnia. Kiwior, Bartosz Slisz and SzymaĆski could all retain important roles, but PrzemysĆaw Frankowski, Wiktor Nowak and Ćwiderski are viable alternatives if Poland freshen the side.
Possible Starting Lineups
Sweden Possible XI
Viktor Johansson; Daniel Svensson; Carl Starfelt; Victor Nilsson Lindelöf; Elliot Stroud; Alexander Bernhardsson; Lucas Bergvall; Yasin Ayari; Sebastian Nanasi; Benjamin Nygren; Viktor Gyökeres
Poland Possible XI
Marcin BuĆka; Kacper Potulski; Jan Bednarek; Jakub Kiwior; Matty Cash; Bartosz Slisz; Piotr ZieliĆski; MichaĆ SkĂłraĆ; Nicola Zalewski; Sebastian SzymaĆski; Robert Lewandowski
Players to Watch
Viktor Gyökeres â Sweden
Gyökeres scored Swedenâs second goal against Romania and becomes even more important with Isak absent. Polandâs three-man defence will have to deal with his strength, sharp movement in the box and ability to attack second balls.
Lucas Bergvall â Sweden
Bergvallâs shot created the winning goal against Romania, but his wider influence was just as useful. He can drive Sweden forward from midfield and force Polandâs central players to make difficult decisions about when to press.
Piotr ZieliĆski â Poland
ZieliĆski remains Polandâs main creative influence. Sweden will expect to dominate possession, so the Inter Milan midfielderâs passing on the break and ability to find Cash or Zalewski in wide areas could be Polandâs best route to goal.
Nicola Zalewski â Poland
Zalewski was lively after replacing KamiĆski against Bosnia and should be in line for a larger role here. His direct running is particularly relevant with Sweden having to reshuffle their right-hand side.
Head-to-Head
Sweden beat Poland 3-2 at Strawberry Arena in the World Cup play-off final on 31 March 2026. Anthony Elanga, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Gyökeres scored for Sweden, while Zalewski and Ćwiderski found the net for Poland.
Polandâs overall record against Sweden stands at nine wins, four draws and 16 defeats. Their record in Sweden is also poor, with 10 defeats from 16 away meetings.
Final Verdict
Sweden have selection problems, most notably the loss of Isak, but they showed enough against Romania to remain the more convincing side. Gyökeres has support from Bergvall and Ayari, and Potterâs team should be able to push Poland back for long spells.
Poland will threaten when ZieliĆski gets time on the ball and Lewandowski has runners around him, so a clean sheet would be a surprise. However, their failure to score against Bosnia and Swedenâs home edge make the home win the stronger call at 2.10. Expect a competitive game with Sweden doing just enough, with our correct-score prediction Sweden 2-1 Poland.
FreeOddsTips Prediction
Sweden should control more of the match and have enough attacking quality to overcome the absence of Isak. Poland can make it close through their counter-attacking players, but the home sideâs sharper start to the group keeps Sweden to Win as the preferred selection.
Best Bet: Sweden to Win
Odds: 2.10
Confidence: âââââ
Correct Score: Sweden 2-1 Poland
