Italy vs. Sweden: Live Stream, Odds and Form Guide for Euro 2016
Italy made a significant statement in their opening Euro 2016 match as they beat well-fancied Belgium 2-0, and they are favourites to prevail again in their second Group E clash against Sweden in Toulouse, France, on Friday.
Led by skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden managed to scrape a 1-1 draw in their opener against Republic of Ireland, and they will need to improve dramatically to get a result against Antonio Conte's men.
Largely underrated ahead of the tournament, Italy's performance against Belgium was a masterclass in tactical nous that they will hope to repeat at Toulouse's Stadium Municipal.
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Read on for full viewing details and odds for the clash, along with a full form guide.
Date: Friday, June 17
Time: 2 p.m. BST, 9 a.m. ET
TV Info: The match will be broadcast on ITV (for UK viewers) and ESPN (for U.S. viewers).
Live Stream: ITV Player, WatchESPN
Odds (via Oddschecker): Italy (11-13), Draw (5-2), Sweden (9-2)
Form Guide
Italy are now on a three-match winning run after their defeat of Belgium and could take some telling momentum into the knockout rounds in France if they continue to perform as they did in their opener.
Sweden, meanwhile, have won just one game in their last five outings having claimed a 3-0 victory over Wales in a pre-tournament friendly—see below for both outfits' most recent results:
| Italy | Sweden |
| Won 2-0 vs. Belgium | Drew 1-1 vs. Republic of Ireland |
| Won 2-0 vs. Finland | Won 3-0 vs. Wales |
| Won 1-0 vs. Scotland | Drew 0-0 vs. Slovenia |
| Lost 4-1 vs. Germany | Drew 1-1 vs. Czech Republic |
| Drew 1-1 vs. Spain | Lost 2-1 vs. Turkey |
While Sweden have a number of decent players in their squad—Martin Olsson was particularly impressive against Ireland—they are heavily reliant on Ibrahimovic.
Most of their forward play goes through the big striker, and it was his interplay and cross that eventually forced the crucial equaliser against Ireland.
Sweden will need him to be on top form if they are to get a result against Italy, but the 34-year-old will have one of the best defences in the tournament to deal with.
Italy's BBC—Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini—are a superb defensive trio, and the Swedish attack will need to perform to their absolute best to get past them, after which they will have the legendary Gianluigi Buffon to beat.
Bonucci was particularly impressive against Belgium, per football writer David Cartlidge:
His inch-perfect ball from the halfway line set up Emanuele Giaccherini's 32nd-minute opener.
Against Sweden—and then Ireland—Italy face a different challenge from the Belgium clash.
They were underdogs against the Red Devils, but that will not be the case against the Swedes, and Erik Hamren's side are unlikely to allow the Azzurri as much space going forward.
Indeed, Sweden will likely opt to allow Italy much of the ball and plan to hit them on the break. This tactic could allow Ibrahimovic the type of space he needs to engineer a victory for his side.
Sweden can ill afford to lose to Italy as it could see them condemned to a group-stage exit from Euro 2016.
A shared point could work in favour of both sides, but Italy are unlikely to settle for a draw considering the momentum they currently have, and if they pile forward, one mistake could hand Sweden the chance to snatch a necessary goal.
