Sweden vs. Denmark: Date, Live Stream, TV Info for Euro 2016 Play-off Leg 1
Scandinavians wait with bated breath as Sweden and Denmark face off in the Euro 2016 play-offs for a place at the finals in France.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the centre of attention once again, as the Danes look to deny the Swedes at the Friends Arena in Stockholm on Saturday night.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is expected to be the difference between the nations, but with local passion running high, the Nordic derby is impossible to call.
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Read on for the kick-off schedule, including TV and streaming information for your territory:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Where: Friends Arena, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
Time: 7:45 p.m. (GMT)/2:45 p.m. (ET)
Live Stream: Sky Go (U.K. only); Fox Soccer 2GO (U.S. only)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 and HD (U.K. only); Fox Sports 2 (U.S. only)
Match Preview
Sweden will hope to take full advantage of the home draw in the first leg of their Euro 2016 play-off with Denmark, earning a solid lead to take into Tuesday's return match.
The game in Solna sees two of the region's powerhouses battle, but the visitors are currently out of form and out of luck.
The Danes haven't won since June, failing to beat Albania, Armenia and Portugal in their final drive to qualification in Group I, securing only two points from nine when it appeared they would comfortably make the top two, per UEFA.com.
They also lost in a friendly match to France in October, surrendering 2-1 at the Parken Stadion in preparation for the play-offs, and look a shadow of the side that began their campaign so brightly.
Denmark now face a Swedish side who mean business, as Ibrahimovic looks to fire his team into the finals in what could be his last major tournament for his country.
The icon said he may end his international career if Sweden fail to get past their opponents in the play-offs, according to Sky Sports:
"I would love to play at the European Championship in France. I have played there for four years. I have put Sweden on the world map and now I have put France on the world map too.
If it's over [for me] after the play-offs? We'll see. If you're asking me now? No. If you ask me after the play-offs? I don't know.
"
Ibrahimovic has failed to score against Denmark in his career but remained unfazed by the sorry statistic, once again maintaining his brash air of confidence, as quoted by Sky Sports: "It doesn't mean anything. There will be goals when there are goals. If we create chances, they'll turn up."
The 34-year-old pointed out he has nine goals and five assists in the competition and is unconcerned about his current performance value despite his ageing legs.
Sweden recorded a strong qualification campaign in Group G, losing only twice in their 10 matches, and finishing two points behind second-placed Russia, according to UEFA.com.
The form book leans in the favour of the hosts, but Sweden could be short of three important central players for the contest. Kim Kallstrom and Oscar Lewicki are both rated doubtful, and Albin Ekdal is out, leaving Sweden's core stripped, as reported by WhoScored.com. Denmark are missing Pione Sisto and Leon Andreasen but should have a strong starting XI in place for the kick-off.
The Danes have five clean sheets against Sweden in their last five games, per WhoScored, and they will need a strong rearguard to be in operation—to deny Ibrahimovic the chance of glory.
Sky Sports' Charlie Nicholas believes the Danes have a solid chance, but Ibrahimovic will be the deciding factor in the tie:
"Denmark are a decent side and there's not much between them but I just think when you carry that extra bit of quality then that's what makes the difference on these big occasions, which I think Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] enjoys.
This is a great clash and one where I see the big names coming to the fore and I wouldn't be surprised if he were to score a brace.
"
If the PSG striker is in the mood, it is difficult to see how Denmark will walk away from Saturday's match unscathed.
There is a lack of genuine quality amongst the Danish ranks, and they will be hoping for a virtuoso performance from Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen to fight their corner.
Eriksen has two goals and three assists from his nine Premier League appearances this term, according to WhoScored, and could be his country's trump card after hitting a strong patch of form.
However, the visitors will be satisfied with a clean sheet—first and foremost—giving them the platform to win the second leg on Tuesday night.
