Sweden's chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are hanging by a thread ahead of hosting Kosovo on October 13.
Jon Dahl Tomasson's team have picked up just one point from three Group B qualifiers and they need to claim victory in Gothenburg.
A 2-2 September draw in Slovenia was followed by a 2-0 loss in Pristina and October's window kicked off with a 2-0 home defeat to group leaders Switzerland.
September's games were dominated by how Tomasson would utilise star striker Alexander Isak just days after completing a Premier League record breaking move to Liverpool.
After three months of inaction over the summer, Tomasson agreed with Arne Slot over the 26-year-old's fitness, and only gave him 18 minutes off the bench away in Kosovo.
Despite voicing continued concern over Isak not completing a full 90 minutes at Liverpool between the September and October camps, Tomasson handed his No.9 the captain's armband for the first time against the Swiss.
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However, his muted impact remained, with no shots on target and Tomasson kept him on for the full game in Stockholm.
Sweden stick by Isak and Gyokeres vs. Kosovo
Strike partner Viktor Gyokeres also failed to hit the target across 90 minutes, as the Arsenal forward continues his own mixed start to the season, in a tale of two misfiring strikers.
On paper, an attack of Isak and Gyokeres should be one of Europe's most deadly, with 16 and 15 international goals respectively, but that has not been reflected of late.
Despite Isak failing to score in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League since making the move to Merseyside - and Gyokeres managing just three goals in seven top-flight games since his summer move from Sporting CP to North London - Tomasson is keeping faith in the pair.
The duo were on media duty, alongside the manager, ahead of the Kosovo game and he's prepared to risk successive 90 minutes on Isak to keep the World Cup dream alive.
Liverpool news and related links
- Alexander Isak ready to move past drama over summer move to Liverpool
- Klopp spells out reason why Liverpool don't need to worry about Wirtz
- What Danny Murphy said about Alexander Isak will sting Liverpool fans