Sebastian Larsson has warned England that they have to live up to the weight of expectation when they take on his Sweden side in Samara on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides meet in the third of the World Cup quarter-finals, aiming to keep alive their dreams of reaching the showpiece final and potentially lifting the famous trophy.

England have been steadily building momentum and are now second favourites to win the whole competition, with one of Russia or Croatia next up if they overcome Sweden.

Larsson, who has represented Arsenal, Birmingham City, Sunderland and Hull City in English football, believes that the Three Lions are the side under more pressure this weekend due to their shrinking odds.

"I'm sure people back in England expect them to go through," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "If they weren't to go through and beat Sweden that would be a massive disappointment to say the least, so that's something the English players have to deal with.

"England are favourites, yes, of course they are but we don't mind. We still put pressure on ourselves; we don't feel like we are satisfied here.

"For me, personally, to be going up against England, the country where I have spent 17 years, it's obviously a little bit special. It's a game we are really looking forward to. We have got huge respect for England, they've got quality players all over the pitch, and they are a good team. "

Larsson missed Sweden's 1-0 win over Switzerland in the last 16 after accumulating two yellow cards in the group stage.