#360fans: Ireland vs Sweden - UAE fans preview

Sport360 staff 14:40 13/06/2016
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  • Shane Long and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be key.

    Ahead of their Group E clash on Monday, UAE-based Republic of Ireland and Sweden fans give their verdict on the game.

    Do you agree or have they missed the mark? You can share with us your thoughts by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    REPUBLIC OF IRELAND – Stephen Fleming (Teacher, Dubai)

    Ireland go into their opening game full of confidence after a relatively good qualifying campaign. A recent draw against the Dutch won’t have hampered spirits while a defeat by minnows Belarus might actually have been the perfect tonic to keep the squad focused ahead of the crucial game against Sweden.

    Selection wise, Martin O’Neill has a few tough choices to make. The goalkeeping position looks to be a straight shootout between the impressive Keiren Westwood and Darren Randolph, with the West Ham man likely to be given the nod on account of his form in qualifying. In the heart of the defence I think Shane Duffy could get a look in if O’Neill wants to add some pace and height to his defence. He is one defender who can at least deal with the aerial threat of Swedish dangerman Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    The main injury worry for Ireland at the moment is Jon Walters, who has an Achilles problem but has resumed full training in recent days. If he’s fit, O’Neill will probably start with a diamond 4-4-2 with Glenn Whelan at its base. If Walters is out I’d expect a switch to 4-5-1 with James McClean coming into the side.

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    PREDICTION: Ireland 2-1 Sweden

    LIKELY IRELAND XI: Randolph; Coleman, Duffy, O’Shea, Brady; Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Hoolahan; Long, Walters

    IRELAND PLAYER TO WATCH: Shane Long – He is in great form at the moment and hopefully we will see him carry this into Euro 2016. He is Ireland’s main source of goals from open play and is possibly the most in-form striker in all of Group E. His speed will be key in getting behind an old and sluggish Swedish defence.

    SWEDEN PLAYER TO FEAR: Zlatan Ibrahimovic – The obvious answer but Ireland can’t afford to give him any space and the danger is that he likes to drift out to pick up a breaking ball which in turn makes the defence play a high line.

    WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: McGettigans in JLT is the best place to watch the game in my opinion. There will be a great atmosphere by whoever attends and like the fans in France, if Ireland win expect the night to last even longer!

    SWEDEN – Bengt Ternström (Chief Executive, Dubai)

    After going out at the group stage of Euro 2012 and not even qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, Sweden have a real point to prove at this European Championship, a tournament that could well be the last international outing for our leader and legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    Results have been mixed in the build up to Euro 2016, a 0-0 draw with Slovenia doing little to inspire confidence, though the 3-0 victory over Wales now looks even better after their win against Slovakia in Group B. Our group is a tough one and it is imperative that we start well against Ireland.

    We last played them in a pair of World Cup qualifiers in 2013, drawing 0-0 at home and winning 2-1 in Dublin. Our team looks very different now, with only four players who started that match likely to be in the first XI at the Stade de France. Still, Zlatan remains and he may be all we need!

    PREDICTION: Ireland 1-2 Sweden

    LIKELY SWEDEN XI: Isaksson; Lustig, Granqvist, Johansson, Olsson; Durmaz, Kallstrom, Lewicki, Forsberg; Ibrahimovic, Berg

    SWEDEN PLAYER TO WATCH: Zlatan Ibrahimovic – In the air, on the ground, from set pieces – Zlatan is a threat all over the park. Our captain and a national hero – if he plays well then Sweden play well.

    IRELAND PLAYER TO FEAR: Robbie Keane – He may be getting older but he’s not getting any worse at finishing! Ireland’s leading scorer netted against us last time we faced them and he is still a real fox in the box so the defence will need to be on guard.

    WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME: Media One Hotel – should be lots of Swedes there!

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