Sweden vs United States betting tips: Women’s World Cup round of 16 preview, predictions, team news and odds

Sweden vs United States odds and betting statistics

[STATISTICS]

Sweden vs United States recommended bets

[RECOMMENDED_BETS][TIP_OF_THE_DAY]

Sweden vs United States match preview

For the sixth World Cup in a row, old rivals United States and Sweden will meet again.

This is actually the most common fixture in Women’s World Cup history, with the pair meeting at the inaugural tournament in 1991, before clashing at every edition this century, a streak that’ll continue in Melbourne.

Unsurprisingly, the U.S. boast the better head-to-head record, winning the meetings in 2003, 2007 and four years summers in France.

However, the Blågult are the most-recent side to beat USA in 90 minutes at a World Cup, this in 2011, whilst also defeating the Americans at the Olympics two summers ago, winning 3-0 in Tokyo.

At this summer’s tournament, undoubtedly, it is the Swedish who’ve been exponentially more impressive.

Peter Gerhardsson’s side topped Group G with maximum points, first coming from behind to beat South Africa 2-1, before a 5-0 demolition of Italy in Wellington.

Then, on Wednesday, they secured top spot by beating Argentina in Hamilton, prevailing 2-0, with Rebecka Blomqvist heading home from close-range, before Elin Rubensson converted a stoppage time penalty.

Sweden do have serious pedigree at recent major tournaments, finishing third at the World Cups of 2011 and 2019, reaching the semi-finals of last summers Euros and picking up Bronze at the last two Olympics.

So, do the Blue and Yellow come into this tie as favourites?

Well, based on what the United States have produce Down Under, the certainly do.

When Vlatko Andonovski’s side swatted aside debutants Vietnam 3-0 at Eden Park in their opener, you’d be forgiven for assuming it was business as usual for the three-peat chasers.

But then, in a 2019 final rematch, the Stars and Stripes had to battle to a 1-1 draw with Netherlands, pinching a point courtesy of Lindsey Horan’s bullet header.

Then, on Tuesday, the U.S. had to settle for second in Group E, held to a goalless draw by Portugal and, by the end, this was an enormous relief, with A Selecção thwacking the post in stoppage time.

Had that gone in, USA would’ve been out, which is an unthinkable scenario.

But, many USWNT supporters would argue this has been coming; they were dire at the 2021 Olympics, before suffering three successive defeats for the first time since 1993 in friendlies last autumn.

The five points the U.S. accumulated is their lowest-ever tally in a World Cup group stage, so could this team actually fail to reach the semi-finals of this competition for the very first time?

This is, unquestionable, the tie of the round, so who’s World Cup dreams will go up in flames at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, with the winners set to face Japan or Norway in Auckland in Friday’s quarter-final?

Sweden team news

Peter Gerhardsson rotated his XI for Wednesday’s routine win over Argentina, with Jennifer Falk getting the an opportunity in goal, but Zećira Mušović is set to return here.

Stina Lennartsson, Anna Sandberg, captain Caroline Seger, Sofia Jakobsson, Madelen Janogy, Olivia Schough and Rebecka Blomqvist all also came in, bit Sweden are set to revert to the team that thwacked Italy 5-0.

Centre-back Amanda Ilestedt has already scored three times at this World Cup, all coming from corners, with the Blågult certainly a threat from set-pieces.

Fridolina Rolfö was one of those given the night off in mid-week but, having already scored against South Africa and Italy Down Under, will remain Sweden’s main goal-threat.

Fellow-attacker Stina Blackstenius bagged a brace when these two teams last met, coming in a 3-0 victory at the 2021 Olympics.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mušović; Björn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Rubensson, Asllani; Rytting Kaneryd, Blackstenius, Rolfö.

United States teams news

Star midfielder Rose Lavelle will sit this one out suspended, having picked up her second yellow card of the tournament in the miserable draw with Portugal.

So Savannah DeMelo, who started USA’s first two matches at this World Cup, with Lavelle being eased back after injury, is likely to be entrusted to start this massive game, winning just her fourth senior cap.

That aside, there’s nothing to suggest that Vlatko Andonovski will make many changes, with Julie Ertz continuing to be deployed at centre-back, while Alana Cook is yet to feature at all Down Under.

Lynn Williams did come into the XI on Tuesday, chosen over Trinity Rodman, but the latter is likely to return here.

Sophia Smith was at her mesmeric best against Vietnam, scoring twice and providing an assist, and the US may be reliant on some magic from Smith to keep their three-peat hopes alive.

Six of Alex Morgan’s 121 international goals have come against Sweden, but the 34 year old centre-forward has looked well past her best at this tournament.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Naeher; Fox, Ertz, Girma, Dunn; Sullivan, Horan, DeMelo; Smith, Rodman, Morgan.

Sweden′s Women’s World Cup results & fixtures

[FIXTURES]

United States′ Women’s World Cup results & fixtures

[FIXTURES]

Women’s World Cup round of 16 results & fixtures

[FIXTURES]

More betting offers

[BETTING_OFFERS]