This Friday, November 10, 2017 (11:45 AM Pacific) Sweden will host Italy at the Friends Arena for the first leg of a UEFA World Cup qualifier play-off. Both teams had strong performances in the group stage and should present one of the more competitive matchups in these UEFA play-offs.
Sweden had a formidable showing in the first round of the qualifiers, finishing just behind France in Group A of the competition, finishing in second with 19 points. The Blue-Yellow were led by Marcus Berg, who managed to score eight goals in the group stage, Emil Forsberg also put in a shift with four goals.
Janne Andersson will count with a full squad and has a very talented side with players like Forsberg, Berg, Andreas Granqvist, Victor Lindelof, and Sebastian Larsson. The away leg in Italy will be a tough match and the Nordic side will need to take advantage of this first leg in Stockholm.
Italy could not compete with Spain in Group G of the competition and finished second with 23 points, five points back of La Furia Roja. Gli Azzurri still had a solid display in the first round only losing one game and posting a goal differential of 13. Gian Piero Ventura has a very talented squad that is arguably better than Sweden with players like Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Andrea Belotti.
It is unclear if Valencia striker Simone Zaza will be available for the game and this could prove to be a big blow to Italy as Zaza has been in incredible form with nine goals in La Liga. The game should be very intense and prove to be one of the best matchups in these European qualifiers with the ultimate prize of reaching the next World Cup.
How to Watch Sweden vs Italy
The Sweden vs Italy match will be broadcast this Friday, November 10 at 11:45 AM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Fox Sports 1
Watch Live Online: Sling TV (Watch 7 Days Free)
