LIVE: Spain vs Sweden | EURO 2020 | GROUP E

15:00 ET Canada-USA
Venue: Estadio de La Cartuja
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)

Hoping to open their European adventure with a victory on Monday night after what has been a nightmare week behind the scenes, Spain will host Sweden in Sevilla.

Spain

Starting with the hosts, after dealing with a COVID-19 nightmare over the past week and seeing their preparations take a real hit, the former world champions will be desperate to turn their attention back to on-field matters. Watching their heavily altered squad land a routine 4-0 win against Lithuania in their final friendly matchup, La Roja do find themselves enjoying an extended unbeaten run heading into this summer’s European Championships.

With their senior squad eventually having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Portugal last week, Luis Enrique’s side did show glimpses of their best despite failing to find the net. With many tipping them as a landslide pick to top Group E, a group they share with Sweden, Slovakia and Poland, the former Barcelona boss finds his side enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run across all formats. With that run highlighted by a stunning 6-0 romp against fellow European giants Germany seven months ago, Spain should be looking to lay down an early marker in Sevilla.

After returning a positive COVID-19 test, Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets will miss Spain’s opener on Monday night.

However, after returning to training with his teammates, the versatile Diego Llorente could feature.

Sweden

As for the visitors, while Spain might have seen their preparations take a real hit over the past week, Sweden should find the mood in their camp at a high. Managing to squeeze in three pre-tournament friendlies and signing off their run with a 3-1 win against Armenia on home soil, The Yellows also secured victories against both Finland and Estonia.

Fancying their chances of securing an automatic route out of Group E potentially behind Monday’s hosts, Head Coach Janne Andersson has really seen his side bounce back from their Nations League nightmare last year. Despite losing their Group A status after a run of form that saw them land just a single win, Sweden did open March’s World Cup qualifiers with a pair of handy wins. In fact, the guests have won each of their last five matchups across all formats, their brightest run since 2013. However, it should be noted, when Sweden last made the trip to Spain back in 2019, they were hit with a 3-0 drumming in the capital.

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof will start at the heart of Sweden’s defence on Monday.

Enjoying an impressive season with Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, Alexander Isak is expected to lead the line in Sevilla.