On Thursday night, Russia host Sweden in the Nations League, as the home side look to build on an opening game win in the new competition.
Russia’s form has improved immensely of late and last time out the home team recorded a 5-1 victory over the Czech Republic after winning 2-1 in Turkey in their first game of the Nations League.
Stanislav Cherchesov’s side has been tough to beat of late, as they have suffered just one defeat in their last eight international outings, recording five wins in the process. Their recent international outings have been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in seven of their last eight matches.
Russia are unbeaten in five games classified as home matches in 90 minutes, having recorded three wins in the process. The home side has also been prolific in front of goal of late on home soil, scoring at least two goals in their last four matches.
Sweden heads into this game on the back of a poor run of form. In fact, the visitors have suffered defeats in their last three outings, including their Nations League’s opener, a 3-2 home defeat by Turkey.
The visitor’s recent games have been relatively high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last six outings. A factor in those high scoring games is Sweden’s poor recent defensive record, as they have conceded at least two goals in four of their last six matches, including their last three games.
Sweden also have a poor recent away record, as the visitors have won just one of their last seven games on their travels. The Scandinavian side’s recent matches have been low scoring on the road, with their last four games on their travels producing under 2.5 goals.
Forebet predicts that this game will finish in a goalless draw, which would be a better result for the home side, who already have three points in the newly established competition.