Sweden v Ireland - A free shot, or potential upset?

Can the Republic of Ireland dare to dream against a formidable Swedish outfit, or can Vera Pauw's side consider the seemingly mammoth task something of a shot to nothing in Gothenburg?

The challenge facing the visitors on Tuesday (live on RTÉ2, kick-off 5.30pm) is a considerable one. The side ranked second in the world.

With six wins from six in Group A, they hold an 11-point lead over Ireland and Finland, though the Girls in Green have a game in hand on the Finns.

The Swedes come into the game off the back of a 15-0 thumping over Georgia and manager Peter Gerhardsson will be expecting to lead the hosts out in front of a full-house at the Gamla Ullevi stadium, with a 14,463-seater sell-out looking likely.

A point will guarantee automatic qualification, but three is what is expected.

The Swedes haven’t been at their best in the group - In November Finland made them work hard for a 2-1 win and the Slovaks were only edged out 1-0 in the group opener last September, while Louise Quinn’s own goal decided the contest in Dublin – but former Ireland defender Karen Duggan says the challenge is a "huge" one.

"The game we played against them at home was probably the worst Sweden have played in this group and they were still quite comfortable," she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

With that in mind, Duggan says a good performance could set the Irish up well in the battle for second place.

"This is a shot to nothing for Ireland. Everyone in the group is going to lose to Sweden.

"If Ireland can keep the scoreline down, we saw what happened the last time, we lost 1-0. The bounce effect that had gave huge confidence.

"We went and produced one of the best performances I have seen away to Finland. I don’t think anyone expected that and it has crucially