Lincoln’s home form has us believing they will put together a much better showing in the return leg, but Mjallby have more than enough quality to trouble their opponents and come away with a positive result.
France have made a statement of intent by scoring ten times across three group stage victories, the joint-most of any side, four of which came against a second-string Norway in the final group game (W 4-1). Those results secured Les Bleus’ first perfect passage through a World Cup group since winning the tournament on home soil in 1998, a solid omen they can point towards to solidify their status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy in mid-July. Scoring at least three goals in their last four World Cup games underlines the attacking prowess within the French ranks, and as they stand on the brink of becoming the first side to do so in five successive games, securing that feat is almost certain to lead to another broken record of seven consecutive World Cup wins against UEFA nations.
Despite only qualifying as one of the best third-placed sides, Graham Potter’s Sweden broke their own national record with seven goals scored at a World Cup group stage (W1, D1, L1). They’ve still got some way to go to equal the 15 they managed across the whole tournament when the USA last hosted the World Cup back in 1994 and they finished third, and an unkind route to the final certainly means they’re right up against it on both fronts. The size of the task here cannot be understated, but the Swedes will be quick to point out that they were only eliminated from two of their last seven games in the first World Cup knockout round, even if both defeats came across the last three such occasions.
England produced one of the most eye-catching performances of the World Cup to beat Croatia 4-2 in their opening game thanks to a second-half rally. Giving up two goals before half-time was certainly a concern and the Three Lions might be wary given the previous time they’d conceded more than once was against African opponents en route to a 3-1 defeat against Senegal last June. But with Harry Kane now level with Gary Lineker’s English record of World Cup goals (ten), and Thomas Tuchel’s side losing just one of their last 11 fixtures (W9, D1), they look to have the firepower to overcome any potential defensive problems.
Ghana also got underway with a win but were far less convincing as they struck late to beat Panama 1-0 in their opener and end a six-match winless run (D1, L5). The Black Stars will hope finally getting a victory under their belts can drive them to better things, although history suggests they’re up against it as they’ve only once before won two group games in one World Cup. Losing each of their last three fixtures against sides ranked inside FIFA’s top 20 while conceding exactly twice is another ominous omen conspiring against them as they take on #4-ranked England.