Sweden vs Italy Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Preview. Check the match preview, betting tips, useful info and betting predictions for the match between Sweden vs Italy in the World Cup qualifying play-off.
Sweden vs Italy Match Preview
Continental giants Sweden and Italy get into the World Cup qualifying playoff knowing that one of them will miss the mega event in Russia next year. Sweden will hope to utilize the home advantage in the first leg while Italy will hope to live up to their favourites tag. This Sweden vs Italy World Cup qualifying playoff encounter will be played at the Friends Arena in Stockholm on Friday, November 10.
Sweden
Sweden had a tough qualification group ‘A’ that included France, Netherlands, and Bulgaria. They did reasonably well in the qualifiers finishing second in the group with 19 points, four behind France and same as third-placed Netherlands. In fact, it was their superior goal difference (+17) that helped them pip Holland to the playoff place, although they would be disappointed at landing a tough match. Any hopes of progression rely on how they perform in the first leg at home which makes this Sweden vs Italy game very fascinating. They are particularly strong at home winning four and drawing one of their past five matches. That included a win over France while heavy wins over Bulgaria (3-0), Belarus (4-0) and Luxembourg (8-0) highlights their home prowess.
Italy
Italy were grouped with Spain in the Group ‘G’ of qualifying and as expected, finished second. The Spaniards were comfortable winners with 28 points while Italy picked up 23 points – 10 more than third-placed Albania. That can be considered an expected result for this Italian side that is nowhere near its vintage best. They could score just 21 goals in the 10 qualifying games with nine of those against Liechtenstein. They lack star names and are criticized even back home as one of the weakest Italian sides ever. However, take nothing away from their performances as they have won seven of their last nine games. Their only defeats since Euro 2016 came against Spain and France. Can they claim the bragging rights in the first leg?
Sweden vs Italy H2H
Both sides have played 23 encounters of which there were 11 Italy wins, six Sweden wins and six draws. The last time Sweden vs Italy played out was in Euro 2016, a match that Italy won 1-0.
Sweden vs Italy Team News
Sweden are without Mikael Lustig who is suspended for the first leg.
Italy have concerns around the injuries to Claudio Marchisio and Lorenzo Pellegrini along with Alessio Romagnoli.
Sweden vs Italy Probable Line-ups
Sweden: Olsen, Larsson, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Claesson, Johansson, Larsson, Forsberg, Berg, Toivonen.
Italy: Buffon, Bonucci, Chiellini, Barzagli, Darmian, Verratti, De Rossi, Spinazzola, Belotti, Immobile, Insigne.
Sweden vs Italy Predictions
The hosts are under-estimated, but Italy will have their task cut out. Sweden look set to surprise everyone with a win at home, although it could be a very narrow one. With both sides boasting of strong defences, getting under 2.5 goals in the match looks a distinct possibility, so that’s the betting tip for this game.
Sweden vs Italy Betting Tip: under 2.5 goals @ 1.50
