Sweden v Wales preview: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gareth Bale to return
Sunday 5 June 2016 18:40, UK
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gareth Bale could go head-to-head as Sweden and Wales meet in a friendly in Stockholm on Sunday.
The game will be the final fixture for both nations before they start Euro 2016, with Sweden in Group E along with Belgium, Italy and Republic of Ireland and Wales in Group B with England, Russia and Slovakia.
The hopes of the two nations in France may well rest on the form of Bale and Ibrahimovic respectively.
Bale has not played since completing 120 minutes last weekend as Real Madrid won the Champions League on penalties.
However, Wales manager Chris Coleman is keen to re-introduce him back into the side.
"If there is a chance that we can give him some minutes then yes, we will," he said. "It is important for him as he has not been with us for a while.
"It is important for him to not only be on the training pitch but to have the real thing before we kick off against Slovakia."
Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic, who could join Manchester United before the tournament starts, may return after sitting out the goalless draw against Slovenia on Monday with a calf injury.
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While Bale looks set to feature for Wales, Joe Ledley, Joe Allen and Hal Robson-Kanu are doubtful.
Coleman expects Allen and Robson-Kanu to be fit for the Euro 2016 opener against Slovakia, although Emyr Huws and Wes Burns will travel to France to provide cover.
Ibrahimovic, who has scored eight goals in his last eight games for his country, could feature for the hosts.
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This will be the seventh meeting between these two nations, with Sweden yet to lose against Wales, winning five (D1).
Wales have failed to score in three of their last four contests with Sweden, netting twice in the other courtesy of a brace from Dean Saunders in 1990.
Wales have won just two of their last 11 friendlies (D3 L6), with the last of those coming in March 2014 at home to Iceland.
Chris Coleman's side have lost their last two away from home, while they are yet to lose three on the road during his time in charge.
Bale has scored five of Wales' last nine international goals. Aaron Ramsey is the only Wales player to score more than once other than Bale since the start of 2015.
