Sweden VS Slovakia Match Prediction
2018-10-16
18:45:00
Sweden
VS
Slovakia
Our Prediction Tip
Sweden will win this match.
2018-10-1618:45:00 Sweden will win this match.
Slovakia have faced Sweden four times since Slovakian independence and they have won three and drawn one of those games. They have only met once since 2001, however – a 6-0 Sweden win in January 2017, outside of the FIFA fixture window. Sebastian Andersson, back in the Sweden squad now, scored two goals in that game while Alexander Isak, David Karlsson, Per Frick and Saman Ghoddos got the other goals.
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Slovakia’s only win in their last five matches was nothing to shout about - a sluggish 3-0 triumph against the Denmark XI that consisted of amateurs, futsal internationals and lower-league Danes.
Sweden, on the other hand, have also been in poor form, but they drew with Russia in their most recent match – keeping a clean sheet – to show their supporters that their customary defensive solidity has not disappeared.
Andreas Granqvist’s return at the back is key to that, while the performance and presence of Robin Olsen fills defences with confidence.
Slovakia’s attacking threat comes from Adam Nemec – with two goals in his last three friendlies – but Sweden’s defence can shut him down.
Their own attacking form has not been great, but they should have beaten Turkey after building up a 2-0 lead and they will hope to get back in the goals in this friendly.
Needing to bounce back to winning ways after the World Cup, this is the perfect chance for the Swedes.
At home, Sweden are 10/11 with Betway to beat Slovakia and, backed by their excellent defence, that goes up to 2/1 for a Sweden win to nil.
You can also bet against both teams to score at 10/13 with 888sport. Neither side has been prolific in front of goal and under 2.5 goals will return 6/10 with Ladbrokes or 8/13 with 10Bet.
As for who will score the goals, Sebastian Andersson has scored twice before against Slovakia and he is 12/5 with 888sport to score at any time.
Sweden can get back to winning ways at Slovakia’s expense but, with little between them and neither in potent goalscoring form, it could be decided by a single goal.
Striker Mikael Ishak has withdrawn from the squad as the search for goals and a replacement for Ola Toivonen continues. Robin Quaison was not called up this time, with Sebastian Andersson instead offered a chance to impress. At the back, Andreas Granqvist was among the players back in action to help shore up the defence and record a clean sheet against Russia.
Robin Olsen – With Sweden short of goals at the other end, the new Roma goalkeeper takes on an added importance.
Emil Forsberg – Back in the squad, having scored the winner against Switzerland at the World Cup - his seventh goal in 42 appearances.
Isaac Kiese Thelin – Bayer Leverkusen striker opened the scoring against Turkey in Sweden's most recent home game.
Sweden are without a win in their last four matches. Since their World Cup quarter-final defeat to England, Sweden lost 2-0 in a friendly in Austria before their UEFA Nations League defeat to Turkey. Isaac Kiese Thelin and Viktor Claesson had given them a 2-0 lead in that match, but Turkey hit back and won it in stoppage time. Last time out, in the UEFA Nations League, they drew 0-0 with Russia in Kaliningrad.
Goalkeeper Matus Kozacik will not travel to Sweden due to injury, but Martin Dubravka has established himself as number one between the sticks anyway. Samuel Mraz, the Empoli forward, could make his international debut, while defender David Hancko made his last time out.
Marek Hamsik – Marked his record-breaking 108th Slovakian appearance with the goal in the defeat to Czech Republic – the 22nd of his international career.
Robbie Mak – The Zenit St Petersburg winger has scored ten times for his country and will be a key asset against a stubborn Swedish defence.
Adam Nemec – Has scored in two of Slovakia’s last three international friendlies
Slovakia’s only win in their last five games was against a Denmark XI comprised of futsal players and lower-league amateurs – Adam Nemec, Albert Rusnak and an own goal helping them to a 3-0 victory. Since then, however, they have played two games in the UEFA Nations League and lost them both, first 1-0 against Ukraine and, last time out, 2-1 at home to the Czech Republic. The match against their neighbours saw Marek Hamsik level the scores just past the hour on his record-breaking 108th appearance, but the Czechs grabbed a winner with 15 minutes left.
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