Sweden vs United States – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Sweden vs United States on and what time does it start? Sweden vs United States will take place on Sunday 6th August, 2023 – 10:00 (UK)
Where is Sweden vs United States taking place? Sweden vs United States will take place at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia
Where can I get tickets for Sweden vs United States? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Sweden vs United States
What channel is Sweden vs United States on in the UK? Sweden vs United States will be televised live on ITV1
Where can I stream Sweden vs United States in the UK? Sweden vs United States can be streamed on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
SWEDEN
- Sweden are one of three teams to boast a 100% record across the group stage, scoring at least twice in all three of those games and most recently getting the better of Argentina by two goals to nil, backing up their 5-0 thrashing of Italy and hard-fought 2-1 win over South Africa.
- After fielding a back three in their opening group fixture, Peter Gerhardsson has since opted for a flat back four and having recorded successive clean sheets, the expectation is that he will maintain this setup against United States.
UNITED STATES
- Whilst United States did enough to make it through Group E as runners-up, the reigning world champions have been far from convincing, scraping through following a goalless draw against Portugal, their second consecutive draw in this year’s tournament against European opposition.
- Head coach Vlatko Andonovski is under huge pressure to turn his side’s fortunes around and his team selection is expected to be heavily scrutinised with many calling for the likes of Ashley Sanchez and Alana Cook to start.
THE TEAM NEWS
SWEDEN
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Musovic; Bjorn, Ilestedt, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Rubensson; Kaneryd, Asllani, Rolfo; Blackstenius
UNAVAILABLE: Glas (Injured), Lundkvist (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
UNITED STATES
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Naeher; Fox, Cook, Girma, Dunn; Sanchez, Ertz, Horan; Smith, Morgan, Rodman
UNAVAILABLE: Macario (Injured), Press (Injured), Sauerbrunn (Injured), Swanson (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Mewis (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- Sweden have won both of their previous two FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout matches against CONCACAF opposition. They defeated Canada 2-1 in the 2003 semi-finals and recorded a 1-0 victory against the same team in the Round of 16 in 2019.
- Sweden have won eight of their last ten matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup (W8 L2).
- Sweden come into this fixture having kept successive clean sheets in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2011. They only time they have recorded three clean sheets in a row was in the inaugural edition in 1991.
- The USA are unbeaten in a record 20 successive matches at the finals (excluding penalty shoot-outs) W15 D5, since a 2-1 defeat against Sweden in the group stage in 2011.
- The USA have won seven and drawn three of their last ten FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against European opposition.
- The USA have won their last eight FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout round matches, since losing on penalties against Japan in the final in 2011.
- The USA won four successive matches against European teams in the knockout rounds of the last edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, the USA have lost only three of their previous 26 matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout rounds.
- The last time the USA conceded more than one goal in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match was in the 2011 final (D 2-2 v. Japan, lost on penalties).
THE PREDICTION
Of all eight Round of 16 fixtures in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, this encounter has unsurprisingly been picked out by many as the most exciting as two titans of women’s football go head-to-head. United States have been far at from their best across the competition so far and a similar level of performance as to those we’ve seen from them over the course of the group stage will see them knocked out by a resolute, ruthless and solid Sweden. A fairly cagey battle may be on the cards with neither wanting to give anything away early on and each deciding to set up cautiously with an emphasis on defensive solidarity. Two strong backlines are unlikely to give anything away and whatever the result, it will be extremely difficult to break either side down. With that in mind, backing under 2.5 goals scored over the 90 minutes looks to be a smart move.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
