Sweden will attempt to make it two victories from two in the UEFA Nations League when Poland visit the Strawberry Arena on Monday evening.

Graham Potter’s side opened their League B Group 4 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Romania on Friday, while Poland were held to a goalless draw by Bosnia-Herzegovina in Warsaw.

That already gives Sweden an opportunity to establish an early advantage in a group also containing Bosnia and Romania. However, their preparations have been disrupted by the loss of Alexander Isak, who scored in Friday’s victory but has now withdrawn from the squad through injury.

Sweden lose Isak after encouraging opening victory

Sweden did what was required of them against Romania. It was not an overwhelmingly dominant performance, but Potter’s team controlled 60% of the possession, restricted their opponents to only one shot on target and, most importantly, made their best opportunities count.

Isak and Viktor Gyökeres provided the goals, underlining why Sweden’s attacking options had looked like their greatest strength heading into this Nations League campaign.

Unfortunately for Potter, that partnership will not be available on Monday. Isak suffered a minor injury during the Romania match and left the national-team camp on Sunday. Sweden confirmed that he will not be available for the upcoming matches, with the Liverpool striker returning to his club for rehabilitation.

Hjalmar Ekdal has also left the camp with an injury, while Emil Holm is another absentee after being forced off against Romania.

The loss of Isak is clearly the most significant. His combination with Gyökeres gives Sweden two elite centre-forwards capable of causing very different problems, and both demonstrated their finishing ability on Friday. Potter must now decide how to restructure his attack around Gyökeres.

The Arsenal striker should become the clear focal point. Gyökeres has the physical strength to occupy Poland’s centre-backs on his own, but Sweden will need to ensure that he does not become isolated. Benjamin Nygren, Patrik Wålemark and Sebastian Nanasi are among the players capable of providing support, while Potter could also alter his shape rather than attempt a direct replacement for Isak.

There is at least better news regarding Besfort Zeneli. The midfielder missed the Romania game with a foot problem but has recovered and is available against Poland. Potter has indicated that Zeneli is capable of playing 90 minutes if required.

Gustaf Lagerbielke also has a chance of returning, although a decision on his availability will be made closer to kick-off. Lucas Bergvall and Yasin Ayari should again have important roles in midfield after starting the opening fixture. Their ability to move the ball quickly will be particularly important against a Polish side likely to defend more compactly than Romania did.

Sweden can also take confidence from their home record. They are unbeaten in their last four matches on home soil, and victory on Monday would leave them with six points from their opening two Nations League fixtures before consecutive away games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania.

That would represent an excellent start for Potter after a mixed summer. Sweden reached the knockout stage of the World Cup before being eliminated 3-0 by France in the round of 32. Their overall results around that tournament have been inconsistent, with Friday’s success only their second victory in seven internationals. The Nations League now provides an opportunity to establish some momentum.

Poland need more from their attack

Poland’s opening result was not disastrous, but the performance against Bosnia-Herzegovina did little to suggest that Jan Urban’s team are ready to take control of Group B4.

The goalless draw at least produced a first clean sheet in seven matches, but Poland created only one major opportunity and struggled to consistently involve Robert Lewandowski in dangerous areas.

It continued an uncomfortable sequence for Urban. Poland are now without a victory in four matches, having lost to Sweden in the World Cup playoffs and Ukraine in a friendly before drawing with Nigeria and Bosnia.

Perhaps most concerning is their lack of attacking fluency. Lewandowski remains one of the finest finishers of his generation, but at 38 he needs service rather than being expected to create opportunities himself. Poland did not provide enough of it on Friday.

That must improve at the Strawberry Arena. Sebastian Szymański could be pushed closer to Lewandowski, while Piotr Zieliński remains the player most capable of controlling Poland’s possession and finding passes through Sweden’s midfield.

Nicola Zalewski and Matty Cash can provide width, while Karol Świderski offers Urban another option if he wants greater support around Lewandowski.

There is also an enforced defensive issue for Poland, with Jan Bednarek unavailable through suspension. Filip Rózga remains sidelined through injury.

Bednarek’s absence could be particularly significant against Gyökeres. Even without Isak alongside him, the Sweden striker offers a difficult combination of strength, movement and acceleration. Poland’s reshaped defence will have to prevent Sweden from finding him quickly when possession changes hands.

Urban must therefore find a difficult balance. Poland were defensively secure against Bosnia, but repeating such a cautious approach could leave Lewandowski isolated again. Committing more players forward, meanwhile, would create space for Gyökeres and Sweden’s supporting attackers.

Recent history also strongly favours the hosts. Sweden have won eight of their last 10 meetings with Poland, including the dramatic World Cup playoff earlier this year. That match finished 3-2, with Sweden again demonstrating their ability to hurt Poland even when the contest becomes stretched.

Poland’s task on Monday is therefore about more than ending a four-match winless run. A defeat would leave them five points behind Sweden after only two rounds of the Nations League campaign. A victory would completely change the complexion of the group.

Verdict

Isak’s withdrawal changes the outlook considerably. Sweden looked particularly dangerous with Isak and Gyökeres together against Romania, and removing one half of that partnership clearly reduces Potter’s attacking options.

It does not leave Sweden short of quality, though. Gyökeres is capable of leading the attack himself, Bergvall and Ayari give the hosts energy in midfield, and Sweden should have enough attacking options around their striker to create problems for a Polish defence missing Bednarek.

Poland should take encouragement from their clean sheet against Bosnia, but they need considerably more in the final third. Lewandowski remains a threat whenever opportunities reach him inside the penalty area; the problem has been creating those opportunities regularly enough.

With home advantage, a strong recent record against Poland and greater attacking momentum following Friday’s victory, Sweden still look capable of taking maximum points despite Isak’s absence.

Tip: Sweden to win