Spain vs Sweden LIVE! Latest team news, lineups, prediction, TV and Euros match stream today

After a Covid-disrupted build-up, Spain begin their Euro 2020 campaign against Sweden in Group E in Seville this evening.

Positive coronavirus tests for midfielder Sergio Busquets and defender Diego Llorente have seen Spain’s squad forced to isolate and train separately from one another up until a couple of days ago.

Spain boss Luis Enrique had already made headlines by opting to leave out talismanic captain Sergio Ramos after his injury-plagued season, neglecting to select a single Real Madrid player in his 24-man squad.

The 2008 and 2012 champions have been in something of a transitional phase, after their underwhelming showing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but are still among the tournament favourites this summer.

Sweden, meanwhile, are looking to build on their success in Russia, where they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by England.

You can follow all the action with Standard Sport’s live blog below…

Key Points

20:44 , Malik Ouzia

41 mins: Oh my word!

It’s almost the smashiest and grabbiest of all smash and grabs.

Isak bundles his way through out of nothing with a couple of touches so poor that they decieve the defender. He beats Simon with his shot but Llorente is back covering on the line and the ball hits him, then the post, and bounces back into the ‘keeper’s arms.

20:41 , Malik Ouzia

38 mins: Oh, Alvaro. It’s an error from Danielsson as he tries to get on the front foot and intercept but misjudges it and that leaves Morata through on goal.

He has time, picks his spot and misses it, dragging just wide. If only Spain had a lethal forward bang in form, ey?

20:38 , Malik Ouzia

35 mins: We’re used to seeing Spain have most of the ball and at the last World Cup they were accused of having become a parody of themselves. Possession for the sake of it, all pretty patterns but no penetration.

This hasn’t been like that. They

20:34 , Malik Ouzia

32 mins: Another cross comes in and Koke guides over. A second hits Olmo and goes behind. I’m a Dutchman if this is 0-0 at the break.

20:29 , Malik Ouzia

27 mins: Spain have had 81 per cent of the ball. In the words of David Brent: “That’s a landslide.”

20:27 , Malik Ouzia

25 mins: Normal service is very quickly resumed, Koke poking wide before Torres and Llorente almost complete an elongated one-two but it’s cut out by a yellow shirt. It’s a proper attack vs defence session at the moment.

20:24 , Malik Ouzia

22 mins: Sweden are finally up into the Spain half so they try to make the most of it by loading the box and getting Lindelof to send in a long throw but Spain head clear before Forsberg loops a volley way over.

20:18 , Malik Ouzia

16 mins: Brilliant save!

Koke bends in a superb cross and it’s Olmo coming in behind Morata who meets it with a firm downward header but Olsen gets down really well to tip it round the post.

20:15 , Malik Ouzia

13 mins: Excellent defending from Danielsson, who shows good strength to hold off Morata and clear at the near post. It’s just going to come straight back though…

20:12 , Malik Ouzia

10 mins: It’s to be expected, the level of possession we’ve seen from Spain so far, but in this heat, it is going to be very, very punishing if Sweden can’t get a bit more of a foothold.

20:09 , Malik Ouzia

6 mins: Spain have started very brightly – Sweden have hardly had a kick.

This time the danger comes down the left as Jordi Alba bombs on and delivers and it’s the other Swedish full-back, Augustinsson, who sheepishly turns it behind.

From the corner, the ball drops to Dani Olmo on the edge but his strike flies well over the bar.

20:05 , Malik Ouzia

3 mins: There will be a bit of pressure on Morata to perform tonight, given Gerard Moreno is lurking on the bench, and he begins with a nice cushioned chest to hold the ball up for Torres.

Soon after, Torres delivers a wicked cross in towards the forward and it’s guided behind for a corner by Lustig at the back post.

KICK-OFF! 20:02

We are underway in Seville…

20:02 , Malik Ouzia

We’ve had the national anthems but there’s a bit of a delay because there’s a problem with the net in the Sweden goal. I know Seville was the last venue confirmed, but still…

19:53 , Malik Ouzia

Right then, kick-off is less than ten minutes away. Spain have flattered to decieve a little in recent tournaments after that stunning run between 2008 and 2012.

Will they sparkle tonight?

19:39 , Malik Ouzia

With captain Sergio Busquets missing this evening, Luis Enrique has called on his young side to step up.

“This team doesn’t need leadership, there’s 23 players who can provide that,” Enrique said.

“I’m also one of the leaders, for better or worse. Every coach should be a leader but in this team, everyone should lead from the pitch. They have to get that from themselves. But our strength is our group and we’re well prepared.”

Morata leads Spain line 19:12 , Malik Ouzia

No real surprises in that Spain lineup, with Unai Simon preferred to David de Gea in goal and Aymeric Laporte making his tournament bow in defence, while Jordi Alba captains the side from left-back in Sergio Busquets’ absence.

Further forward, Luis Enrique keeps faith with Alvaro Morata which means that Gerard Moreno has to be content with a place on the bench despite his terrific season at Villarreal.

Sweden team news 18:55 , Malik Ouzia

Sweden XI: Olsen, Lustig, Lindelof, Danielson, Augustinsson, Larsson, Ekdal, Olsson, Forsberg, Berg, Isak

Subs: Bengtsson, Johnsson, Svensson, Helander, Sema, Krafth, Claesson, Jansson, Quaison, Nordfeldt, Jordan Larsson, Cajuste.

Spain team news 18:42 , Malik Ouzia

Spain XI: Unai Simón; Marcos Llorente, Pau Torres, Laporte, Jordi Alba; Rodri, Pedri, Koke; Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Morata

Subs: de Gea, Azpilicueta, Diego Llorente, Gerard, Thiago, Garcia, Sanchez, Gaya, Fabian, Traore, Oyarzabal, Sarabia.

The “home” side have arrived… 18:42 , Malik Ouzia Legends watching on from home 18:31 , Malik Ouzia

There are two men who really are notable by their absences this evening as their respective countries get their Euro 2020 campaigns underway.

Sergio Ramos and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been talismanic figures over the years for their countries, but the latter is out injured, while the former was not picked by Luis Enrique, having endured a disrupted campaign because of fitness problems.

The stage is set in Seville… 18:21 , Malik Ouzia Sweden team news 18:06 , Malik Ouzia

The Swedes have also been hit by a couple of positive Covid tests, with Juventus’ Dejan Kulusevski and Mattias Svanberg both coming down with the virus.

Neither will feature today.

Spain team news: Covid disrupts build-up 17:45 , Malik Ouzia

Spain have endured a bit of a logistical nightmare in the run up to this game after midfielder Sergio Busquets tested positive for coronavirus.

Defender Diego Llorente also returning a positive test soon after, and the remainder of the squad were forced to isolate and train individually up until a couple of days ago.

That meant an Under-21 side had to step in and play their final warm-up game against Lithuania, while a parallel training bubble of players was formed to be ready to be called up as replacements if needed.

Head-to-head record 17:32 , Malik Ouzia

Spain wins: 6

Draws: 5

Sweden wins: 3

Standard Sport prediction 17:24 , Malik Ouzia

With so much in play given the current Covid-19 situation, both sides may be happy to simply get through this game with a point on the board and without any more players lost to quarantine.

Spain in theory are favourites given the sheer talent at their disposal, but Sweden will be disciplined and could prove hard to break down.

Spain 2-1 Sweden

Spain vs Sweden predicted lineups 17:22 , Malik Ouzia

Spain XI: Simon; Azpilicueta, P Torres, Laporte, Alba; Thiago, Rodri, Pedri; F Torres, Morata, Oyarzabal

Sweden XI: Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Danielson, Augustinsson; Claesson, Ekdal, Olsson, Forsberg; Berg, Isak

How to watch tonight’s game 17:13 , Malik Ouzia

TV channel: The match will be televised on BBC One for free, with kick-off at 8pm BST.

Live stream: UK viewers will be able to watch the match online for free via the BBC iPlayer.

17:05 , Malik Ouzia

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Spain vs Sweden at Euro 2020.

We’ll bring you all the team news and build-up ahead of an 8pm kick-off…