Sweden VS Norway Match Prediction

In 22 matches, Sweden have been the better of the two sides by taking 11 wins and seven draws against Norway.  The last time the sides faced off came in March when they played out a 3-3 draw in Norway.      

SWE vs NOR Betting Tips and Odds

Betfair have the following odds available for this match:

Sweden are at 1.8, a draw is at 3.4, and Norway are at 4.5.

Isak scoring anytime is at 3.0.

No for both teams scoring is at 1.72.

* Top two teams advance automatically to 2020 European Championship *

Group F is shaping up now with all of the teams having played half of their ten matches so already.  Spain, to no real surprise, are on top with a perfect 15 points and +10 goal difference and will not be caught, barring a major disaster.  That’s one spot sowed up.  Sweden are currently in second on ten points and have lost just once thus far, to the Spaniards.  However, they can’t be too comfortable with Norway on their backs.  Their rivals are only two points back, increasing the pressure here.  Should Sweden draw or win and then win the rest (perhaps minus Spain) they will go through.  Norway really need the win here to have a shot.  

Sweden have themselves on the cusp of qualification for yet another major tournament, but they still have work to do here.  A loss would not be the best for them, obviously, so they will very much want to avoid that to keep them from having to just about beat Spain.  Despite the way their form shows recently, which has been a bit mixed, they had a strong 2018 World Cup and will keep on doing what they do best.  In their last year of action, they have five wins, three draws, and three losses.  

Norway have perhaps their best side in quite some time, but even that is no guarantee of going through right now.  They still have work to be done, and an away trip to rivals Sweden is just the perfect way to get tested.  They have the capability to be really good, but there are still some big holes they need to fill.  Even the players that are promising lack experience, so that could haunt them.  Even still, they have a chance in the group, and that’s all you can ask.  In their last year of fixtures, they have five wins, three draws, and two losses.  

Sweden vs Norway Prediction

Norway have plenty about them to like, and because of the way qualifiers work nowadays, they are going to have chances to make big tournaments.  But there’s a reason Sweden continually gets there, and they show the difference here.  

Correct Score Prediction: Sweden 2-0 Norway

Sweden Team News

Janne Andersson has left out defender Ludwig Augustinsson and midfielder Viktor Claesson among others in this current squad.

Sweden Key Man

The Swedes ran riot over Faroe Islands away from home on Thursday, with the strike force taking full advantage. Though it won’t be as easy here, they still have on-fire Alexander Isak to turn to.  He scored twice inside of four minutes to hand them a 2-0 lead inside a quarter of an hour in the match, putting them very much in the driving seat.  Winger Robin Quaison also had a heck of a game, scoring once and assisting on another goal.  He’s a very important player for them, so it was huge to see him step up ahead of this match.  

Sweden Team Form

Sweden have three wins and two draws in their last five matches:

0-4 win at Faroe Islands
3-0 loss at Spain
3-0 home win vs Malta
3-3 draw at Norway
2-1 home win vs Romania

Sweden Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-4-2

Norway Team News

Lars Lagerback is missing defender Kristoffer Ajer due to injury, while midfielder Mohamed Elyounoussi and forward Ola Kamara have been left out altogether.

Norway Key Man

Bournemouth man Joshua King continues to be the man to watch for Norway as he is a dynamic and versatile threat that can come from all directions.  He scored in the win over Malta at home from the spot to ice the game, and he’ll look to follow up a goal in the reverse fixture, which was a draw.  Stefan Johansen will also be vital.  With both teams playing 4-4-2 in most situations, the wingers might have to tuck back and help defend.  It’ll be interesting to see if it’s he or his mark that are able to pressurize their opposite number.  

Norway Team Form

Norway have two wins, two draws, and a loss in their last five matches:

2-0 home win vs Malta
0-2 win at Faroe Islands
2-2 home draw vs Romania
3-3 home draw vs Sweden
2-1 loss at Spain

Norway Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-4-2

It's hard to imagine so due to how the two generally fare in international play, but Norway have found a lot of success against Sweden relative to their station of late. With that said, even with their promising group of young stars coming through, they are going to find this to be a tough nut to crack in Solna. The Swedes made a very deep run in the World Cup last year and are going to be buoyed by their home crowd. That means a ton, and they make sure to fend off their rivals here.

Despite trailing in the head-to-head and being generally the 'smaller' team, Norway have lost just one of their last seven against Sweden. (2W, 4D, 1L)