Sven-Goran Eriksson believes Swedish players’ familiarity with Premiership football will make England’s task tomorrow in Cologne that much more difficult.
Eriksson’s men, who have not convinced so far at the World Cup, need a point to finish top of Group B and will face a Sweden side with plenty of experience in English football’s top flight.
England have not beaten Sweden since 1968, and Eriksson is expecting another tough challenge.
The Swede told a press conference screened by BBC News: “We all know that it’s difficult to play against Sweden. They are well organised and physically strong, and they know all about English football.
“It’s not easy and statistics say it’s difficult. It’s 38 years so sooner or later we have to beat them – I hope it’s sooner.”