Ronald Koeman is expected to make one alteration as the Netherlands look to build on their draw with Japan in their upcoming World Cup fixture against Sweden this weekend.
The Dutch side came away with just a point in their opening match of this summer’s expanded tournament, despite twice taking the lead through captain Virgil van Dijk and West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville.
Koeman faced criticism for his second-half substitutions, particularly his decision to switch to a back five in an attempt to protect a 2-1 advantage.
Although those tactical changes backfired when Japan equalised in the 89th minute, Koeman defended his approach in his post-match press conference.
He explained: “There was also a problem with pressure on the flanks. So if you look at the game, both goals, well, we didn’t defend well. Football is a funny game because, after Japan scored the second goal, they started defending as well. So we could have scored a third goal. So I don’t regret my choices.”
While failure to defeat Sweden would not eliminate the Netherlands, Koeman is likely to name a more attacking side in search of a victory that would lift them above their Group F rivals.
The solitary change could come in attack, with all-time leading scorer Memphis Depay tipped to replace Donyell Malen after recovering from a thigh injury that restricted him to a substitute appearance against Japan.
Sweden, on the other hand, are expected to stick with the same line-up that produced a dominant 5-1 win over Tunisia. Manager Graham Potter is set to continue with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres as his striking duo.
Both the Liverpool and Arsenal forwards scored and assisted one another in their opening match, but a sterner challenge awaits this time as Isak faces club team-mate Van Dijk and new Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was forced off against Tunisia, is not believed to have a serious issue and should be ready to keep a close watch on Summerville down the flank.
Tottenham’s young midfielder Lucas Bergvall is again expected to start from the bench, following Yasin Ayari’s impressive goalscoring display in Mexico.
Predicted Sweden XI: Nordfelt; Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof; Bernhardsson, Nygren, Karlstrom, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Isak, Gyokeres
Doubt: Gudmundsson
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