Sweden vs USA. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Sweden will meet with the USA in the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 match at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne city, Australia. The fixture will take place on Sunday, August 6, beginning at 14:30 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Sweden News & Current Form: 

The confrontation between Sweden and the USA at the 1/8 finals stage of this year’s World Championship is the most high-profile one. At the last World Cup these teams were in the top three, and therefore the level of their skills and ambitions does not suggest such an early end to the tournament, but someone will have to be eliminated already in the first round of the playoffs. 

Swedish players regularly participate in major competitions and fulfill the fans’ expectations. It is worth remembering that this team has reached the podium four times at the Mundials, losing only once – in 2003 in the USA.

At the last tournament in 2019, which was held in France, Sweden finished third, losing 1:0 to the Netherlands in the semi-finals, and then won the bronze medals, beating England 1:2 in the semi-finals.

At the Mundial-2023, the European players have left a more pleasant impression so far, but the Stars and Stripes are backed by a tremendous experience, after all, they are the champions of the last two such competitions.

The Swedish national team performed honorably at the group stage of the World Cup. It won three victories in three matches, scored nine points and reached the 1/8 finals from the first place. It is worth noting that the Swedish women’s national football team is currently in the top 3 strongest teams on the planet. 

First the Blue and Yellows defeated South Africa (2:1) in the 1st round, scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute. After that, the Scandinavian team had no problems in the game with Italy – a confident 5:0 victory. In the final round, the Swedes defeated Argentina (2:0).

Players of Swedish national team celebrating a scored goal

In the last game, the Swedes once again used their simple but very effective tactic of dribbling into the opponents’ penalty area. The tall Scandinavians simply crushed the defense, and it brought success at the end of the match. VfL Wolfsburg Frauen striker Rebecka Blomqvist opened the scoring in the 66th minute and Elin Rubensson, who came off the bench, scored from the penalty spot. 

At this competition the team has to do without goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl, who finished her career after the Euros, and midfielder Freja Olofsson was not called up to the national team. Arsenal Women FC newcomer Amanda Ilestedt, who scored three goals, and UEFA Women’s Champions League winner with FC Barcelona Femeni Fridolina Rolfo (27 goals in 79 games) have both made their mark at the start of the World Cup. 

Both are likely to start Sunday’s match in the starting line-up. In the match against Argentina, the national team’s coaching staff rotated the squad, so now the team leaders are full of energy and determination to continue the goal-scoring extravaganza. Stina Blackstenius (29 goals in 93 appearances) is ready to step up her game in the second half coming off the bench.

Blackstenius, player of Arsenal FC and Swedish national team, about her team’s feelings ahead of the game:

“We’ve come out of the group feeling good. We’re happy with how we managed to win the matches in different ways. They were completely different types of games, and we handled such diverse opposition well.”

“We also found new ways to change our play and score goals. We’ve been very strong from set pieces and scored in open play as well. It’s been great to manage to win all of our matches in the group stage, especially considering the quality on display at this World Cup. I think we should be happy about that and, yes, feel confident about ourselves.”

“It’ll be a very exciting match, as it always is when we play the US. We know they’ve performed at such a high level historically. Even if they’re maybe coming out of their group not very happy with how they’ve played, we’re still considering them as an excellent opponent. We also know what kind of team they can be at their best. They’re a team we have great respect for. But we also shouldn’t forget what kind of team we are. I’m hoping and believing that this match could go very well for us.”

USA News & Current Form: 

Four-time world title holders, Team USA has once again reached the World Cup playoffs, for the 9th time in a row. Throughout their history, the American women have always finished at least on the podium, with a total of four Mundial titles to their credit.

The unprecedented dominance of this team is a true benchmark in women’s football, even though European teams are starting to catch up with them in the performance quality. 

That said, Americans did not impress fans in the group stage. Only in the opening game, the US team beat the Vietnam team 3:0, followed by draws against the Netherlands and Portugal 1:1 and 0:0, respectively.

The last game was very difficult. The Americans had the initiative, created more chances, but were on the brink of elimination from the playoffs if Portugal scored a one-on-one in the final minutes of the match, but the shot hit the crossbar. The four-time world champions now have an amazing 12-match unbeaten streak in all competitions and 10 wins.

Team USA has a competitive roster, but it’s important to note that captain Becky Sauerbrunn and forward Mallory Swanson (33 goals in 88 appearances) were not called up for the tournament – both are injured.

The experienced Rose Lavelle (24 goals in 91 appearances) will not take part due to a yellow card suspension. Sophia Smith (14 goals in 33 matches), who secured a double against Vietnam, and Naomi Girma (19 matches), who has taken part in all three group matches, will be suspended in a potential quarter-final if they receive more warnings on Sunday. 

Squad of USA national team ahead of the Women’s World Cup game

Alex Morgan (121 goals in 210 matches), in her 34 years, has yet to hit the opposition’s goals at this competition – she and Lindsey Horan (29 goals in 132 matches) will almost certainly appear in attack from the opening minutes. Megan Rapinoe (63 goals in 201 games), known for her outstanding performances, is likely to come on as a substitute.

Morgan about the opponent for the round of 16 game:

“We know Sweden really well. We know what their strengths are. We know they’re a really strong team. They’re good at set-pieces. They’re extremely physical, they’re fast, they’re good on the ball. They’re good at a lot, they don’t have many weaknesses. So we have to bring our best game.”

“We have to take it one game at a time. Sweden is a very tough opponent. But we have the talent, we have the mentality, we have the belief. I’m very confident that we will win the tournament.”

Sweden form guide: W-W-W

USA form guide: W-D-D

Sweden vs USA Head-To-Head Record:

• June 20, 2019: Sweden 0 – 2 USA (Women’s World Cup);
• November 8, 2019: USA 3 – 2 Sweden (International Friendly);
• April 10, 2021: Sweden 1 – 1 USA (International Friendly);
• July 21, 2021: Sweden 3 – 0 USA (Women’s Olympic Football Tournament).

Sweden vs USA Predicted XI:

Sweden’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Rubensson; Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blackstenius.

USA’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Naeher; Fox, Grima, Ertz, Dunn; Demelo, Sullivan, Horan; Williams, Smith, Morgan.

Statistical preview of the match Sweden vs USA:

• Sweden’s First XI average age is 29.0 yrs.
• USA’s First XI average age is 27.9 yrs.
• In the last five head-to-head meetings, the Americans have three wins, the Swedes – one. The previous game ended 3:0 in favor of the European team.
• Sweden have scored at least two goals in each of the last four consecutive matches. 
• Two of the last three head-to-head meetings between the U.S. and Sweden have seen an exchange of goals. 
• Sweden are unbeaten in their last four matches, winning their last three games by a combined score of 9:1. 
• The Americans are unbeaten in their last twelve games, but have drawn their last two games, breaking a streak of ten straight wins.

What has been said before the match:

Peter Gerhardsson, gaffer of Swedish team, about the opponent:

“This USA team has a lot of quality in my experience. They’ve got a lot of pace, good depth of play, so compared to the three matches in the group stage there will be a different intensity in this match and it’s important that we understand the tempo we need to maintain, especially at the start. We’ve perhaps not quite had that full tempo in our last three matches.”

“We did what we wanted to do by winning all three games. But in terms of performance, there were things we did well and things we did less well. In general, there was nothing very bad or brilliant either. Now, to put it simply, we need a new level of performance.”

“Physically, you have to compete with them for 90, 120 minutes. The US are a very strong team physically, both in terms of running but also in possession. That’s one part of it. Then it’s important for us to understand quickly that this is a different type of match compared to those we faced in the group stage. There will be opportunities to sprint in behind their defense, but those opportunities will be there for them too.”

Coach of American team Vlatko Andonovski about the recent game with Portugal:

“The performance was crap. We all know that. We have to own it. We have to take accountability. And we have to focus on the next game. Let’s make sure that we don’t have the same performance again.”

“The fact we are in, we are lucky, but we are moving on.Now we will do everything possible so that the same situation doesn’t happen again. We are doing everything we can to provide success and meet the expectations for everyone.”

“For someone to question the standards, the mentality, the mindset of this team, after everything they do, I don’t think it is the right time for that. And I don’t think it is the right thing as well. I’m happy with where they are at, happy with how they hold themselves accountable and keep raising standards.”

Sweden vs USA Prediction:

The USA, who are ranked number one in the FIFA Women’s National Team Rankings, have had problems in the group stage, however, in the playoffs the team is expected to rectify all their issues, regain their form and show themselves in all their glory – the class is still there, and it is enough to get all the way to the end. 

On the other hand, the North Americans have very fierce opponents that occupy 3rd place in the same FIFA rankings. The Scandinavians represent a highly competitive and attractive team, who are now capable of playing any team on their own terms, even against the most titled and successful team in the history of the competition – the USA. Peter Gerhardsson’s charges show an excellent attacking spirit, often emphasizing their anthropometric advantage, which allows them to be superior in aerial duels and set-pieces. At the same time, the Swedes are outstanding in defense (one goal conceded in 3 matches) – thanks to these qualities Tre Kronor have the third highest goal difference among the 32 participating countries (GD +8) at the moment.

It’s also worth paying attention to the head-to-head encounters: Sweden have rarely been successful against the Americans (only 4 victories out of 20 games). This is a battle of the titans of the women’s football realm, things can go either way, therefore it’s better to take a chance that the USA won’t lose in regulation time due to their roaster quality, vast experience and mentality in this tournament.

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: USA will not lose in the regular time and the match total to be less than 3,5 – Yes.
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