Sweden vs Australia – Third-Place Play-Off – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Sweden vs Australia on and what time does it start? Sweden vs Australia will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Sweden vs Australia taking place? Sweden vs Australia will take place at Lang Park in Brisbane, Australia
Where can I get tickets for Sweden vs Australia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Sweden vs Australia
What channel is Sweden vs Australia on in the UK? Sweden vs Australia will be televised live on ITV1
Where can I stream Sweden vs Australia in the UK? Sweden vs Australia can be streamed on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
SWEDEN
- A dramatic semi-final between Sweden and Spain saw everything bubble over in the final ten minutes when after conceding with nine minutes of normal time to play, Sweden thought they’d forced extra time through Rebecka Blomqvist in the 88th minute, but their hearts were broken almost immediately as Spain went straight up the other end and retook the lead, subjecting Sweden to a fourth loss in five Women’s World Cup semi-finals
- Having scored Sweden’s only goal on Tuesday, Blomqvist may well be given the chance to start here ahead of Stina Blackstenius up top as Peter Gerhardsson weighs up whether to rotate his side for this third-placed play-off.
AUSTRALIA
- Australia gave it everything against England in the semi-finals, but despite the brilliance of striker Sam Kerr, who produced a moment of magic to level the scores with a magnificent long-range strike, the Lionesses proved too strong and the Matildas bowed out, defeated by three goals to one.
- That semi-final was Kerr’s first start of the tournament, the Chelsea star having come into it not fully fit and following such a gruelling encounter, not to mention the short turnover between full time in Sydney and kick-off here in Brisbane, it would be no surprise to see Kerr back on the bench and given a chance to rest.
THE TEAM NEWS
SWEDEN
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Rubensson; Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blomqvist
UNAVAILABLE: Glas (Injured), Lundkvist (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
AUSTRALIA
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Cooney-Cross, Gorry, Foord; Fowler, Van Egmond
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Sweden and Australia have met three times previously in the FIFA Women’s World Cup with Sweden winning 3-1 in the group stage in 1999 and by the same scoreline in the quarter-finals in 2011, their most recent encounter in the competition was a 1-1 draw in the 2015 group stage.
- Overall, Sweden are unbeaten in the previous seven major tournament matches between the two nations (W5 D2). Two wins and a draw in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, along with three wins and a draw in their four meetings in the Olympics, which includes two wins at Tokyo 2020, 4-2 in the group stage and 1-0 in the semi-finals.
- The last time Sweden and Australia met was in a friendly match in Japan in 2020, on that occasion Australia won 4-0 with Caitlin Foord (2), Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler all on the scoresheet.
- Sweden are featuring in the play-off for third place for the fourth time in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. They won all their previous three appearances; 4-0 v. Germany (1991), 2-1 v. France (2011) and 2-1 v. England (2019).
- Sweden have won nine and drawn two of their previous 13 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against AFC opposition (W9 D2 L2).
- Sweden have not failed to score in their previous 13 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against AFC opposition.
- Sweden have not conceded a goal inside of the first half in any of their previous six matches
- Australia have already recorded their best finish in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final competition having never previously gone further than the quarter-finals.
- Australia’s previous best finish in a major global international tournament was a fourth-place finish at the 2020 Olympics when they lost out 4-3 against the USA in the play-off for third place.
- Australia have only failed to score in three of their last 31 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
- Australia have now scored 10 goals at the 2023 finals, beating their previous highest tally in a single edition of the tournament of nine which they recorded in 2007 and 2019.
- Sam Kerr has scored six goals in the FIFA Women's World Cup, moving her one behind Lisa De Vanna who is Australia's record goalscorer in the competition with seven.
THE PREDICTION
So often the third-place play-off is decided by which nation simply wants it more, with the event being very much scant consolation for the two nations who have fallen at the final hurdle between them and the Women’s World Cup final. For Australia especially though, this is an important match as they aim to continue inspiring a generation of new fans in their country and leave themselves a legacy from this historic tournament of which they have played joint-host to. Therefore, it would be no surprise if they came out sharper and more switched on than their opponents here, feeding off the crowd, who have been incredible in their support of the Matildas. Back Australia to get the better of Sweden over the course of 90 minutes and claim third-place in this memorable Women’s World Cup.
TIP: AUSTRALIA TO WIN
