Sweden and Tunisia set for tight BBVA Stadium contest

Sweden face Tunisia at BBVA Stadium in Monterrey in what looks set to be a close first meeting between the nations at a World Cup.

Sweden are 42nd in the FIFA rankings and come in with one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five matches. Heavy losses to Norway, 3-1, and Switzerland, 4-1, have raised questions about a defence that has looked fragile. Their 3-2 win over Poland came with plenty of caveats.

Tunisia are 47th and arrive in steadier form, with two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five. That run includes a 1-0 loss to Austria, a goalless draw with Canada and a 1-0 win over Haiti.

The ranking gap is only five places, which underlines how little separates the teams on paper. Sweden’s attacking quality gives them a route into the game, but Tunisia’s organisation and discipline could make this a match decided by one goal, or by no goals at all.