World Cup 2010 / Editor / 13 October 2009 / Leave a comment

Sweden all but blew their chances of making the World Cup with defeat away to Denmark but if Portugal somehow fail to beat Malta at home, their match against Albania will all of a sudden be of huge signifinace again. Oh, and it's Henrik Larsson's swansong by the way...

"More than Lagerback, though, this game has been focused on the international
farewell of Larsson himself. Amazingly still seen as a better partner for
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, if not necessarily a better bet for goals than Johan
Elmander or Marcus Berg, the 38-year-old will be bowing out against Albania
with 37 goals in his 106 appearances."

It had to happen some time and finally it looks like it has: Sweden, after making it to the last five major international tournaments, are about to miss out on the World Cup. Only a minor miracle which would involve Portugal (who are admittedly Ronaldo-less) dropping points to Malta can Sweden make it to the play-offs. But the likelihood is they will end up in third place in a hugely competitive Group 1.

And although overall they cannot have any complaints about their situation ­they did lose at home to Denmark and dropped points to Albania in their first game of the group ­ they could feel aggrieved at the 1-0 loss in Denmark at the weekend. In what was possibly their best performance of the qualifying campaign, they had a Henrik Larsson goal wrongly disallowed for offside and dominated large periods of the game. When Denmark's Jacob Poulsen struck late on for the winner, the Swedes looked dead on their feet and had no answers.

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback has, unsurprisingly, said he would stand down if his team fail to qualify and while attention has focused on who his successor will be ­ names mentioned have included Sven-Goran Eriksson, Stuart Baxter, Hans Backe and the favourite Erik Hamren (Rosenborg coach) ­ the hosts will be determined to send Lagerback out on a high.

More than Lagerback, though, this game has been focused on the international farewell of Larsson himself. Amazingly still seen as a better partner for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, if not necessarily a better bet for goals than Johan Elmander or Marcus Berg, the 38-year-old will be bowing out against Albania with 37 goals in his 106 appearances. He has not scored for over a year for Sweden, though, but few would begrudge him one on Wednesday.

In his way are a doughty Albania side who have proved tough to break down in this campaign: they held Portugal 0-0 away and drew with Sweden (0-0) and Denmark (1-1) earlier in the group. Croatian boss Josip Kuze has impressed with his organisational and motivational skill and captain Lorik Cana has spoken of him in glowing terms.

But Albania have failed to score a single goal away from home in this campaign and I can't see that run ending in Solna ­ instead, back Sweden to end the campaign on a high and send Larsson off with a narrow win.

Recommended bets:

Sweden to win 1-0 @ ([7.4])
Under-2.5 Goals @ ([2.06])

Tags: Henrik Larsson retirement, World Cup bets, World Cup odds, World Cup previews, Zlatan Ibrahimovic