Scandinavian scuffle: Sweden v Denmark player battles

While the Tottenham playmaker has been largely deployed on the left for his nation of late, Lustig will have to be smart to prevent the dangerous Dane from drifting inside to play that killer pass or score a trademark late goal.

With four assists and two strikes in nine Premier League outings this season so far, much of Denmark’s hopes of denting the Swedish defence rests on Eriksen’s shoulders and the schemer is 10/3 to be on target anytime.

Oscar Lewicki v Michael Krohn-Dehli

Composure will be needed for the former Bayern Munich midfielder, 23, who has just six caps. Key to Swedish success will be Lewicki’s ability to marshal a congested midfield, in which experienced Sevilla plotter Krohn-Dehli will expect licence to roam. Though the Malmo-born battler has spades of exuberance which could see him edge Denmark’s attack.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic v Kasper Schmeichel

Meanwhile, Denmark goalie Schmeichel obviously inherited some of his dad’s talent, but the flexible post protector has kept just one clean sheet all campaign at club-level for Leicester City, and his Danish defence may be no stronger against this in-form and ferocious forward.

John Guidetti v Daniel Agger

Though, should he get the nod to stretch Denmark alongside Ibrahimovic again, Guidetti would be up against a backline enforcer in Agger much more capable than his Moldovan counterparts.

For all their flaws in attack, the Danes are sturdy in defence, shutting out opponents in three of their past five outings, so the young striker could find avenues to goal firmly closed.

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