Sweden vs Romania: Potter Manages Without Top Scorer

SwedenSWE

Alexander Isak 20'
Viktor Gyökeres 43'

UEFA Nations League

2–1

Full Time

HT 2–1

Friends Arena

Solna

RomaniaROU

Dennis Man 29'

AI ForecastsGraded

Sweden kick off their Nations League campaign at a sold-out Friends Arena, where a strong home record in this fixture should give them confidence. Romania arrive with an impressive prior campaign but have not won away against the Swedes since 2018, and their lack of recent match…

Match ResultHome Win63%

6 more forecasts lockedSign in to see them

High-confidence forecasts have landed 74% of the time this season, over 2,080 graded calls. Track record →

Live ForecastBetaPRO

Re-forecast the moment the match changes: every goal, every red card, and at half-time.

Match Stats

Top Stats

0.83xG0.51

60%Possession40%

11 (4)Shots (on target)10 (1)

1Big Chances Created0

Attacking Play

54Final Third Entries49

22Penalty Area Entries14

Possession & Passing

587 · –Passes (accuracy)391 · –

3Corners0

17Poss. Won — Def 3rd21

27Poss. Won — Mid 3rd20

Duels & Pressing

41 (52%)Duels Won38 (48%)

7 (47%)Aerial Duels Won8 (53%)

54Ball Recoveries47

14.7PPDA (Pressing)16.1

Defending & Discipline

0Saves2

6Fouls17

Sweden vs Romania: Potter Manages Without Top Scorer

Published Fri 25 Sept

Sweden face Romania in League B Matchweek 1 of the UEFA Nations League on Friday, 25 September 2026 at Friends Arena in Stockholm. The hosts return to competitive action after conceding nine goals across their last three matches at the World Cup.

Sweden concede 1.78 expected goals a game

Sweden's summer schedule highlighted defensive issues that manager Graham Potter must address. Over their last four matches with chance data, the Swedish side allowed 1.78 expected goals per game while generating 0.90 expected goals. After opening with a 5-1 victory against Tunisia on 15 June 2026, they suffered a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands on 20 June 2026, drew 1-1 with Japan on 25 June 2026, and lost 3-0 against France on 30 June 2026.

Anthony Elanga missing after scoring two goals

Potter enters Matchweek 1 without his leading goalscorer. Winger Anthony Elanga leads Sweden with two goals this season across all competitions, but an injury sustained in the build-up has ruled him out of international duty. Sweden added Paulos Abraham to the squad as cover, while Alexander Isak and Arsenal forward Viktor Gyökeres are available to lead the front line. Tottenham attacker Dejan Kulusevski remains unavailable, having not played a competitive fixture since May 2025.

Romania enter League B with Andrei Coubis

Romania travel to Stockholm for the opening round of League B before fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland. Manager Gheorghe Hagi included 22-year-old defender Andrei Coubis in the touring squad following five league appearances for Lincoln City this season.

Our model firmly expects a Sweden win

Our model firmly expects a Sweden win on Friday. Even with a defensive record of 1.78 expected goals conceded per game and the absence of top scorer Anthony Elanga, Sweden's attacking depth featuring Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak gives the home side the advantage at Friends Arena.

#	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Sweden	4	4	10
2	Bosnia & Herzegovina	4	3	8
3	Poland	4	3	4
4	Romania	4	-10	0

Match Stats

Shot Map

Momentum

Match Events

Player Ratings

Lineups

Head to Head