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8th Oct 2014 | International

Main Man Missing

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's likely absence ought to make Russia favourites for this Group G clash in Stockholm.

Russia are a good bet to take three points from their trip to the Friends Arena on Thursday night as their hosts look likely to line-up without their talisman.

Few European teams are more reliant on their star player than Sweden are on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The PSG striker has missed the last four games for his club and declared on Tuesday: “For the moment, I am injured.”

The 33-year-old’s enduring importance to his country is hard to overstate after 50 goals in 100 appearances. Ibrahimovic scored both goals in the 2-0 victory over Estonia last month - Sweden’s only win in their last five outings.

They face Group G favourites Russia who have won their last two matches 4-0 and who proved competitive in all their World Cup matches despite exiting at the group stages.

In total, Capello’s men have only tasted defeat once in 15 fixtures and at best odds of 13/8 (Betfred), they look good value on the night.

Odds correct at time of publishing: 23:11 8th Oct, 2014 but subject to change

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