Both Norway and Sweden have booked their spots at the upcoming World Cup but their journeys could not have been more different. The Norwegians bossed their qualifying group from start to finish and set all sorts of scoring records along the way while the Swedes had to grind through a tough playoff series in March where they overcame Ukraine and Poland in dramatic fashion. With the big tournament just around the corner this friendly clash between the Nordic neighbours promises plenty of attacking intent as stars from both sides look to fine tune their form.
Team Form
Norway arrived at this fixture on the back of a near perfect qualifying campaign that delivered eight wins from eight games and a remarkable thirty seven goals. Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard are finally set to feature at a major tournament and the excitement around the squad is sky high after their earlier friendly setbacks against the Netherlands and Switzerland. Sweden on the other hand have found renewed energy under English coach Graham Potter who previously worked wonders with Ostersund in Europe and now brings that same attacking philosophy to the national team.
- Norway recorded eight straight wins and thirty seven goals in qualifying
- Sweden needed playoff heroics to edge past Ukraine and Poland
- Both sides have key attackers desperate to impress ahead of the World Cup
Tactical Analysis
The two teams have met more than a hundred times in the past and Sweden hold the historical edge yet recent encounters have swung firmly in Norway’s favour. This pre World Cup friendly is expected to be open and high scoring with both coaches likely to give their attacking players freedom to express themselves. Norway’s pace up top combined with Sweden’s creative midfield options should create plenty of chances and the match is tipped to produce end to end action rather than a cagey affair.
Strengths for Norway include blistering counter attacks and set piece threat while Sweden rely on solid organisation and quick transitions. Weaknesses on both sides lie in occasional defensive lapses during high intensity periods which could lead to an entertaining goal fest.
Betting Proposal
Given the attacking talent on show and the relaxed yet competitive nature of this friendly the smart play lies in a high scoring outcome. Both teams are expected to push forward aggressively as they prepare for the World Cup so goals are likely to flow freely throughout the ninety minutes.
Total goals over 2.5 at odds of 1.75 looks the value selection here.
