Sweden vs Australia predictions: Betting tips & best odds on Women’s World Cup third place play-off
Sweden vs Australia betting tips:
Sweden and Australia will vie for a consolation prize when they contest the Women’s World Cup third place play-off in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Swedes suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals after Olga Carmona fired in a 90th-minute winner.
Australia then lost 3-1 to England in Sydney the following day, leaving these teams to vie for the bronze medal this weekend.
Betting sites make Sweden narrow favourites to secure victory as they have an excellent head-to-head record against Australia.
Sweden also have a 100 per cent record in third place matches, having secured bronze at the 1991, 2011 and 2019 World Cups.
The Swedes will benefit from an extra day of rest this week and they should have enough quality to cause problems for Australia’s defence.
We have assessed the strengths and weaknesses of both teams and explain the reasoning behind our best bets for Sweden vs. Australia below.
Back Sweden to get a result in Brisbane
Sweden will aim to finish this tournament with a flourish when they face the Matildas at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
They cruised through the group stage, beating South Africa 2-1, Italy 5-0 and Argentina 2-0, but they were heavy underdogs against USA in the last 16.
After all, USA were the reigning world champions and the outright favourites to lift the trophy for the third consecutive time this summer.
However, Sweden delivered a tenacious defensive display which earned them a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes and they prevailed in the shootout.
They defied the Women’s World Cup odds once again to beat a very impressive Japan side 2-1 in the quarter-finals and they were a little unlucky to lose to Spain on Tuesday.
Salma Paralluelo broke the deadlock in the 81st minute but Sweden refused to give in and Rebecka Blomqvist slotted in a last-gasp equaliser.
The game appeared to be heading for extra time, only for Carmona to win it by chipping goalkeeper Zerica Musovic from the edge of the box.
That was a devastating blow for the Swedes, but they have had a few days to lick their wounds and prepare for the bronze medal match.
Australia could be a little drained after losing 3-1 to England on Wednesday and Sweden look well-priced to take advantage.
They have nine wins, four draws and just two defeats from 15 previous games against Australia, which should give the players confidence.
It finished 1-0 to Sweden when they met in the semi-finals of the Olympic Games a couple of years ago.
The Matildas gained a measure of revenge by thrashing Sweden 4-0 in a friendly in November, but Sweden were understrength in that game.
They look a lot more impressive now and they have an excellent record in major tournaments, so odds of 21/20 on football betting sites for ‘Sweden draw no bet’ look sensible.
Both teams should find the back of the net
Sweden boast a wealth of quality in attack and they have found the back of the net in five out of six games so far at this tournament.
Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfö, Chelsea’s Johanna Kaneryd and Kosovare Asllani of AC Milan are all talented playmakers, so the Swedes often create plenty of chances.
Star striker Stina Blackstenius has not been particularly prolific but Amanda Ilestedt has scored four times and Rebecka Blomqvist has chipped in with three.
Yet Musovic was beaten far too easily by Carmona on Tuesday, which should provide Australia’s forwards with encouragement.
The Matildas have also scored in five of their six matches so far at this tournament and they will be keen to put on a show for the home crowd.
However, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold also looked a little shaky against England, so both teams to score looks potentially appealing at 4/5.
Sweden beat England 2-1 in the third place match at the last World Cup, while Australia lost 4-3 to USA in the bronze medal match at the Olympics two years ago, showing these games can often be open, entertaining affairs
Kerr could shine in this game
Australia forward Sam Kerr is one of the world’s best players but she has been blighted by a niggling injury at this tournament.
She made her first start against England in the semi-finals and she was her side's most dangerous player throughout the match.
Kerr beat England goalkeeper Mary Earps from long range in that match and she could well repeat the feat against Musovic.
She has scored 63 goals in 122 games for her country and has also been extremely prolific for Chelsea over the past few years, so will likely cause problems for Sweden.
Martin Green spent five years working at William Hill before becoming a freelance writer. He has extensive experience in the online gambling industry, writing informative and factual articles helping online players improve their knowledge. He provides betting tips for The Independent.
