Pre-match Thoughts and Fan Perspectives
Matan emails: “Do you give a prayer today? France could be got at defensively, but I fear Potter’s side will be crushed by the attacking force of Les Bleus.”
I suspect they will get beaten well but they do have an exciting front three. I fear, however, will give them the runaround at the other end.
I once shook Lucas Digne’s hand at a Michael Jackson tribute night. That’s my only link to tonight’s match.
Team Lineups and Tactical Setup
Wrap your eyeballs around Football Daily.
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba; Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Barcola, Olise; Mbappe
Subs: Samba, Risser, Gusto, Konate, T Hernandez, L Hernandez, Lacroix, Kone, Kante, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Doue, Mateta
Sweden (3-4-3): Zetterstrom; Lagerbielke, Lindelof, Gundmundsson; Svensson, Stroud, Bergvall, Ayari; Isak, Gyokeres, Elanga
Subs: V Johansson, Nordfeldt, H Johansson, Ekdal, Starfelt, Smith, Bernardsson, Nygren, Sema, Karlstrom, Svanberg, Zeneli, Nilsson, Ali
I wonder if Elanga will get a start tonight as Potter may consider the extra pace and trying to give the French full-backs something to think about.
Coaches' Comments and Match Expectations
Sweden coach Graham Potter has said his team would have to produce something special to beat France.
“They have quality all over... They have won the before and they have a fantastic manager,” Potter said. “An exciting challenge awaits us, and we will have to play the game of our lives, clearly.”
Other Tournament Updates
Elsewhere … Jonathan Wilson was in Dallas to see Norway defeat Cote d’Ivoire and set up a clash with Brazil.
Alexander Isak is in attendance.
Player Focus and Tactical Analysis
Mbappe has been impressive thus far but he still has a couple more gears. Will he show them in this match?
This is ruddy impressive from our creative genius Jonny Weeks.
After a couple of relative shocks on Monday, could be eyeing another here tonight. There is plenty of quality in Graham Potter’s squad, with the strike pairing of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres the envy of many countries. If they can align up top, they will cause a lot of problems.
Unfortunately for Potter et al, possess Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, forcing a few sleepless nights in the Swedish hotel. Didier Deschamps’s side are the favourites for the tournament in my opinion and they will not be taking their foot off the gas, I am sure.
