Zlatan Ibrahimovic is that special individual talent who can lift a Sweden squad that is average at best. The 34-year-old striker was absolutely amazing this past season for PSG with 53 goals in 50 appearances. He was also the biggest reason Sweden even made it to France, as he scored 11 of the team’s 19 goals during qualifying.
Zlatan is priced at +2,800 to be the tournament’s leading scorer, and the Swedes will need every goal in order to win a challenging Group E. They are +600 underdogs to overcome Belgium and Italy for top spot in the group.
Team Weaknesses:
The drop-off from Zlatan to the next best player on the team is huge. Their defense is hardly imposing, while their offense is basically Zlatan doing his thing. If their star striker isn’t at his best – and at 34 years old with mere days in between games, it’s a distinct possibility – it’s tough to see who else in the Sweden squad has the ability to step up to the challenge.
The Swedes are priced at +175 to finish bottom of Group E.
Team Stats (During Euro Qualifiers):
Category
Stat
Goals Scored Per Game
1.58
Goals Conceded Per Game
1
Goal Attempts Per Game
12.42
Pass Completion Percentage
85%
Ball Possession Percentage
52%
Starting Lineup:
Position
Name (Age)
Career Caps
Goals
Goalie
Andreas Isaksson (34)
128
0
Defender
Mikael Lustig (29)
50
2
Defender
Andreas Granqvist (31)
50
3
Defender
Erik Johansson (27)
8
0
Defender
Martin Olsson (28)
34
5
Midfielder
Sebastian Larsson (30)
82
6
Midfielder
Kim Kallstrom (33)
127
16
Midfielder
Omar Lewicki (23)
9
0
Midfielder
Emil Forsberg (24)
15
1
Forward
Marcus Berg (29)
37
10
Forward
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (34)
112
62
Writer’s Prediction
Zlatan is unable to lift his team as Sweden don’t make it past the round of 16.
