Spain are dealing with the fallout of a mini Covid-19 outbreak as they today prepare for their Euro 2020 opening game against Sweden.
Spain have increased the size of their “parallel training bubble” to 17 players after Diego Llorente became the second man in their main squad to test positive for Covid-19.
Captain Sergio Busquets also tested positive on Sunday, forcing the country’s 24-man Euros squad into isolation. Leeds defender Llorente’s positive test was confirmed on Tuesday night and, like the rest of the squad, he will now work to an individual training schedule.
With Luis Enrique’s side up against it, Sweden may sense an opportunity to strike and get off to a winning start - but they themselves have had two positive Covid-19 results in Juventus winger Dejan Kulusevski and Bologna midfielder Mattias Svanberg.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Spain vs Sweden is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off on Monday, June 14, 2021.
The match will be held at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, Spain.
Where to watch Spain vs Sweden
TV channel: The match will be televised on BBC One for free.
Live stream: UK viewers will be able to watch the match online via the BBC iPlayer.
Spain vs Sweden team news
It remains to be seen whether Spain and Sweden will call up replacement for the four players who have returned positive Covid-19 test results, but they will surely miss this game regardless.
Spain vs Sweden predicted lineups
Spain XI: Simon; Azpilicueta, P Torres, Laporte, Alba; Thiago, Rodri, Pedri; F Torres, Morata, Oyarzabal
Sweden XI: Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Danielson, Augustinsson; Claesson, Ekdal, Olsson, Forsberg; Berg, Isak
Spain squad
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Robert Sanchez, Unai Simon
Defenders: Aymeric Laporte, Jose Gaya, Jordi Alba, Pau Torres, Eric Garcia, Diego Llorente, Cesar Azpilicueta
Midfielders: Marcos Llorente, Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Pedri, Thiago, Koke, Fabian
Forwards: Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Gerard Moreno, Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, Pablo Sarabia
Sweden squad
Goalkeepers: Karl-Johan Johnsson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Robin Olsen
Defenders: Emil Krafth, Victor Lindelof, Marcus Danielson, Martin Olsson, Ludwig Augustinsson, Pontus Jansson, Filip Helander, Mikael Lustig, Andreas Granqvist
Midfielders: Emil Forsberg, Ken Sema, Viktor Claesson, Dejan Kulusevski, Sebastian Larsson, Albin Ekdal, Kristoffer Olsson, Jens-Lys Cajuste, Mattias Svanberg, Gustav Svensson
Forwards: Marcus Berg, Alexander Isak, Robin Quaison, Jordan Larsson
Spain vs Sweden prediction
With so much in play given the current Covid-19 situation, both sides may be happy to simply get through this game with a point on the board and without any more players lost to quarantine.
Spain in theory are favourites given the sheer talent at their disposal, but Sweden will be disciplined and could prove hard to break down.
Spain 2-1 Sweden
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Spain wins: 6
Draws: 5
Sweden wins: 3
Betting odds and tips
Spain to win: 2/5
Draw: 33/10
Sweden to win: 17/4
