Sweden vs South Africa – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Sweden vs South Africa on and what time does it start? Sweden vs South Africa will take place on Sunday 23rd July, 2023 – 06:00 (UK)
Where is Sweden vs South Africa taking place? Sweden vs South Africa will take place at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for Sweden vs South Africa? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Sweden vs South Africa
What channel is Sweden vs South Africa on in the UK? Sweden vs South Africa will be televised live on BBC Two
Where can I stream Sweden vs South Africa in the UK? Sweden vs South Africa can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
SWEDEN
- Third-placed finishers four years ago in 2019, Peter Gerhardsson’s Olympic Silver Medallists Sweden went through qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup without losing a game, but despite their excellent Women’s World Cup pedigree, Sweden are still yet to win the tournament and this is something they’ll be looking to change, beginning with a strong group stage campaign.
- Caroline Seger will be hoping to add to her 235 caps after beating injury to make it into the squad, whilst Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfo scored in her side’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final triumph over Wolfsburg and she’s expected to be afforded significant attacking responsibility by Gerhardsson down the left-hand-side.
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa made history last year after five cases of heartbreak in the final, ‘Banyana Banyana’ finally lifted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, beating Morocco by two goals to one in the final courtesy of striker Hildah Magaia’s brace and now they looking to make more history at this, their second appearance at the Women’s World Cup.
- In 2019, South Africa ended the group stage pointless and the African champions will certainly hope for better this time round, but financial disputes have disrupted preparations somewhat, with players refusing to play a warm-up match against Botswana.
THE TEAM NEWS
SWEDEN
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Musovic; Bjorn, Sembrant, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Seger, Rubensson; Jakobsson, Blackstenius, Rolfo
UNAVAILABLE: Glas (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SOUTH AFRICA
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Dlamini; Gamede, Mbane, Matlou, Dhlamini; Cesane, Jane, Kgoale, Motlhalo; Kgatlana, Seoposenwe
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- This is the first FIFA Women’s World Cup™ encounter between Sweden and South Africa. Overall, it is their third competitive meeting, they met twice in the group stage at the Olympics with Sweden winning both times, 4-1 in 2012 and 1-0 in 2016.
- Runners-up in 2003, Sweden’s qualification for Australia & New Zealand 2023 has maintained their record of appearing at each FIFA Women’s World Cup™ since the tournament was first staged in 1991.
- Sweden are unbeaten in their previous four FIFA Women’s World Cup™ matches against African nations (W2 D2).
- Sweden’s 2-0 defeat against the USA in their final match in the 2019 group stage is the only defeat in their last ten FIFA Women’s World Cup™ group matches (W6 D3).
- Sweden’s captain Caroline Seger has featured at the last four FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final competitions and is set to become the first player to participate in five editions of the tournament for the nation.
- South Africa will make their second successive appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2023 following their debut participation at France 2019 which ended at the group stage.
- Thembi Kgatlana was the scorer of South Africa’s first and only Women’s World Cup goal to date in a 3-1 defeat against Spain in their opening match at the 2019 finals.
THE PREDICTION
Sweden have an excellent record in the group stage of this competition and complacency certainly isn’t expected to be an issue for them against the African champions. But this particular tournament represents a huge step up in quality for the South African players, which was so evident back in 2019. Whilst ‘Banyana Banyana’ should put up more of a fight in the group stage this time round and stand a good chance of getting their first Women’s World Cup points, they face a formidable opponent here in Sweden, a veteran nation of such big occasions and with the personnel among the Swedish squad, they are well worth backing to overcome South Africa by at least two clear goals.
TIP: SWEDEN TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
