Prediction: Sweden vs Norway

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

The international break is upon us, and the UEFA region switches its focus entirely. Now every single European nation will concentrate on the 2020 UEFA European Championship Qualifiers. On Sunday, we will witness one of the most fierce rivalries in Europe when Sweden host Norway at Friends Arena, in Stockholm, in Group F action. Kick-off for this match is slated at 19:45 BST. Slavko Vinčić will be the referee.

Sweden

Sweden are coming off a convincing, yet expected 4-0 win over Faroe Islands in their previous European Championship Qualifiers encounter. The Swedes currently sit in second place of Group F with 10 points, but considering they are five points adrift Spain at the top of the zone, perhaps their best bet would be to settle for second place – which gives a direct spot to the 2020 European Championship. Their recent record has been decent, as they have posted a W2, D2, L1 mark in their last five ECQ matches. That lone defeat came on the road against Spain, but the draw was against Sunday’s opponent, Norway, in a 3-3 thriller played in March last year. The “Yellow and Blue” would gain quite an edge on the race for the second place if they secure a win in this match. Can they do it, knowing they own a perfect W2, D0, L0 mark at home during the current ECQ run?

Team News

Sweden have no injury concerns ahead of this match.

Norway

Norway might be in third place of the European Championship Qualifiers standings, but they seem to be in a good run of form at the moment. The Scandinavian side owns a W2, D2, L1 mark in the Qualifiers so far, but they have not lost in each of their last four matches (W2, D2). Their last two games ended in 2-0 wins (at Faroe Islands and against Malta), so it’s clear they must improve their performances against the top sides in the group. Norway have gone D2, L1 in their three matches against Romania, Sweden and Spain, albeit that defeat came against La Furia Roja while playing on the road. Their W1, L1 mark away from home during the recent qualifying run shouldn’t inspire a lot of confidence in the fanbase, but this game has all the makings of a decisive fixture for Norway’s chances of clinching a spot in the 2020 EUROS. Can they get the job done?

Team News

Norway are at full strength ahead of this tie. However, Kristoffer Ajer was removed from the side after sustaining an injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• There has been a total of 27 combined goals scored in the previous seven H2H matches in European Championship Qualifiers. Sweden has 17 of those goals.
• In fact, the Swedes own the edge on the H2H department solely on European Championship Qualifiers (W4, D2, L1).
• Sweden have an excellent home record in the European Championship Qualifiers since September 2006. They have gone W15, D3, L1 on that span.
• Three of Norway’s last five matches have seen over 2.5 goals, although none of the past two. That outcome has also happened in each of Sweden’s five ECQ matches thus far.
• Four of the last five H2H matches have seen both sides scoring. Three of those have featured at least three goals.

Conclusion

Matches between Sweden and Norway tend to be quite intense and open. That trait has also been noticeable on Sweden’s side during the current European Championship Qualifiers.

We can safely expect a total of at least three goals in this match.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: 888sport