The Swedes control their own destiny in the group and could finish second place and earn the valuable playoff spot if they manage two wins and a draw in their final three games; the team would also clinch if Austria and Ireland managed to lose points their final three games, including the match on Tuesday.
If Ireland and Austria draw, then they would only be able to secure a maximum of 18 points; Sweden would only need two wins in their final three games to clinch the top spot. The Swedes will be facing Austria and Germany in their final two games but both will take place at home in Solna. If Sweden managed to defeat Kazakhstan and draw with Austria, then they could potentially clinch prior to their final game with Germany.
Of course other factors must be considered. The Swedes currently sit in seventh place on the nine team playoff standings. The top eight second place sides move on to the second round playoffs while the ninth place team gets knocked out of contention. Sweden holds the seventh spot but only has a one point lead on eighth place Bulgaria and three points on last place Norway. On the positive end, a win for Sweden could potentially push them all the way to fourth place in the playoff standings.
Kazakhstan has already been eliminated and lost 2-0 in their trip to Sweden in Sept. 2012.
Prediction: Sweden pulls off a 4-0 win.
