Sweden vs. France: World Cup 2018 Qualifying Live Stream, Preview

France can take a big step towards automatic qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Friday, as they visit Sweden in a vital encounter.

The French are sat atop Group A with four wins and one draw from their five qualifiers. However, a victory for the Swedes would see them usurp Les Bleus at the top of the table and open up a group that also contains Bulgaria and the Netherlands.

France, the favourites for many to win next summer's showpiece, will be expected to turn in a big performance under pressure. Here are all the details you need to catch the action from the Friends Arena in Stockholm and a look at how this one will play out.

Date: Friday, June 9

Time: 7:45 p.m. (BST), 2:45 p.m. (ET)

TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), FOX Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (U.K.), FOX Soccer 2GO (U.S.)

Preview

Xavier Laine/Getty Images

The depth available to France boss Didier Deschamps will be to the envy of every international coach on the planet.

Not only do Les Bleus boast a first XI that's bristling with pace, power and poise, in almost every position on the pitch they have two or three options. OddsChecker recently summed up the quality the team has across the park:

"

So much depth.

Do France have the best squad (+ extras) in the world? pic.twitter.com/uzujjjfhcg

— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) March 28, 2017"

Yet for all the class at hand, in their competitive matches since last summer's UEFA European Championship—when hosts France finished as runners-up to Portugal—their performances in competitive games haven't been totally convincing.

Granted, France have won four games in succession since being held to a 0-0 draw by Belarus in their first game of qualifying, but the only eye-catching display was the 4-1 win over Bulgaria, as they turned in battling efforts to edge past the Netherlands and Sweden.

Frederic Stevens/Getty Images

Deschamps will be hopeful Friday's 5-0 thumping of Paraguay in a recent friendly will spark the team into life. And for all the dynamic attacking players at hand, it's target man Olivier Giroud who has been the star man up top for the French recently.

The Arsenal poacher netted three times in the friendly in Lorient. As we can see courtesy of Squawka Football, he's lethal in a blue jersey:

Giroud will lead the line in what promises to be a tight game against Sweden, who are thriving despite the loss of their own talismanic forward.

Indeed, the international retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic robbed the nation of their only world-class star. But Janne Andersson has forged a vibrant side, packed with burgeoning youngsters and bristling with enterprise.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Victor Lindelof has been growing on the international stage and will have a big role to play if they're to shut out the French. Meanwhile, up top veteran Marcus Berg has benefited from the supply line offered by the elegant Emil Forsberg.

The RB Leipzig man has enjoyed a tremendous campaign in the Bundesliga. WhoScored.com broke down his remarkable campaign:

If Sweden are to spring what'd be a surprise win they will need Forsberg on the ball as often as possible in the final third, seeking to unpick a France defence that has been a little brittle at times.

Still, the biggest challenge for the Swedes will be sapping the attacking momentum of the visitors. Giroud and Antoine Griezmann will likely lead the line, although Deschamps will be able to call on the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele if things aren't going quite as planned.

So while we may not see a free-flowing performance from the French in a game in which a point would represent a decent result, that variety in attack will ultimately see them to an important win in Stockholm.

Prediction: Sweden 1-2 France