Euro 2016 Group E: Rejuvenated Belgium can sink Sweden in final encounter

Lee Gormley | June 20, 2016

Belgium v Sweden

Belgium battle Swedes in final Group E clash

The Euro 2016 group stages come to a close as Belgium battle Sweden on Wednesday night, with Marc Wilmots’ rejuvenated side hoping for further success on the back of their comfortable 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.

Martin O’Neill’s Irish will also see out the end of the group campaign as they collide with Italy, but Belgium are aiming to add to their impressive last outing in this encounter with Sweden, a fixture which the latter have not prevailed in since 1961.

The Red Devils have emerged victorious in the previous two clashes with the Swedes and are unbeaten in three meetings, meaning the current crop are 9/5 with Coral to secure three points and a clean sheet this time around.

Although, Sweden are in need of a win which would see them edge ahead of their opponents into second place of Group E and Erik Hamren’s men are 7/2 to bounce back from their late defeat to Italy by triumphing at the Allianz Riviera.

Lukaku looks to add to Irish strikes

Everton frontman Romelu Lukaku endured an underwhelming opening defeat to Italy, but the Premier League poacher bounced back against the Irish as rediscovered his clinical eye for goal to bag a brilliant brace.

The former Chelsea targetman is 5/1 to repeat his heroics by dispatching another double or more here, while Christian Benteke and Divock Origi are both 6/4 to get on the scoresheet anytime.

Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was a constant tormentor of Ireland’s rearguard and he is 7/4 to find the target, with skipper Eden Hazard 15/8 to tuck home and in-form Atletico Madrid wideman Yannick Ferreira Carrasco is 11/4 to strike.

Midfield threats, especially from set-pieces, will be Axel Witsel, who netted against Ireland too, and Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini, with the pair 4/1 and 11/2 respectively to net anytime this time out.

Can Zlatan finally find his groove?

Sweden sharpshooter Zlatan Ibrahimovic has so far endured a tough campaign, but the Manchester United target is 11/2 to finally find the target by opening proceedings on his latest appearance, with his supposed move to Old Trafford still unconfirmed.

Marcus Berg lost his starting position to Celta Vigo forward John Guidetti in the loss to Italy but he is 2/1 to net anytime here, with the former Celtic poacher the same price to dispatch on French soil.

Sunderland winger and Swedish set-piece taker Sebastian Larsson is 7/1 to get his name on the scoresheet in Nice, while fellow midfield threat Emir Kujovic is 11/4 to find the net this time out.

Sweden are yet to find the target themselves, with a Ciaran Clark own-goal having helped them secure an opening group draw with the Irish, and boss Hamren will hope that his main marksman Ibrahimovic can inspire his side to a maiden Euro 2016 victory and boost progression chances.

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Coral’s top tip: Back Romelu Lukaku at 5/1 to fire in another two or more goals against Sweden, following his brace over the Irish.