Sweden vs. Belgium: preview and betting tips

In addition to the Czech Republic-Poland clash, the Sweden-Belgium match is also worth watching on Friday. The home team has a lot to get back at the fans for their failure to participate in the last World Cup, while the away team has a lot to get back for their terrible performance in Qatar.

Sweden has had a far from ideal year. First, they lost to Poland in the World Cup barrage in Qatar, then they were relegated from the second performance group of the Nations League. However, it won two preliminary matches in January.

Belgium also has black memories of 2022. As the favourite in its group at the World Cup, it only beat newcomer Canada, but a subsequent loss to Morocco and a draw with Croatia were not enough to qualify.

Sweden’s key figures

The Swedes are relying on the recovered Newcastle maroon Alexander Isak, author of seven goals and one assist. Left-footed whiz Dejan Kulusevski stands out from Tottenham’s misery, scoring twice and assisting seven times.

Belgium’s key figures

The visitors need a different Kevin De Bruyne to the one who ran the show in Qatar. He has scored six times and assisted 21 goals for Manchester City this season. Leandro Trossard has assisted on six goals since joining Arsenal in the winter, while talent Romeo Lavia is a mainstay at Southampton and is asking for a chance in the line-up.

What to expect and what to bet on?

Sweden are very strong at home on the Scandinavian peninsula. It has won eight of its last 11 games in front of its home fans, including triumphs over Spain and the Czech Republic. It has only lost to Norway and Serbia in the Nations League.

The Belgians’ disjointed squad and performances are documented by the fact that they have won only five of their last 13 matches. Outside of Belgium, they have only won two of their last eight matches – against Canada and Poland.

Considering the Swedes’ home form, the return of Isak in a very good frame of mind, and given the poor atmosphere and Belgium’s performance during the last meetings, I think the home team will not lose.

Source: UEFA