Sweden vs Slovenia Prediction & Tips
Sweden and Slovenia are playing to stay in Group B4 of the UEFA Nations League (UNL). Sweden lost 4-1 to Serbia and Slovenia beat Norway 2-1, leaving both teams separated by two points at the bottom of the group going into the final matchday. Since beating Slovenia on the opening day, Sweden has lost all four of its UNL matches, its longest losing streak since four losses in 2004, but breaking that streak with a win in this match would be enough to keep them in League B.
It has been more than 100 years since the Swedes, ranked 20th in the FIFA rankings, have lost five matches in a row. And a repeat of the 1917/18 run and no World Cup would mean that Janne Andersson could end up stepping down as Sweden coach. The pressure for Andersson has grown a lot, but the only time they faced Slovenia, in this UNL, they won 2-0, so they still have hopes of repeating that result at home to avoid relegation.
Slovenia struggled to adapt to the B League, but after starting with two defeats, they went three games unbeaten to reach the last matchday alive, and the draw is enough to save them. The Slovenians could not control Erling Haaland in their last game, but still managed to come from behind to record their first win at this level of the UNL.
Another win would allow the Slovenians to even their away records at UNL (G2, E3, P3), but with so much inconsistency, it’s hard to predict whether they can step up in a game in which they are underdogs. Also, the highest ranked team they beat away from home was Montenegro (ranked 67th), so beating 20th-ranked Sweden will be no easy mission.
Players to watch: Red Bulls clash; seven of Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg’s last 11 goals have come in clean sheets, and he is the only Swede with two goals in this UNL. If Slovenia scores, Salzburg star Benjamin Šeško will likely have something to do with it, as he has been involved in four of his team’s five goals in this UNL group (two goals, two assists).
Key stat: Sweden has not conceded a goal in its three previous meetings with Slovenia (G2, E1).
Sweden – Slovenia FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
