Sweden vs Italy predictions: Women’s World Cup tips and odds

Our betting expert has three Sweden vs Italy tips for Saturday’s Women’s World Cup Group G game at Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand (8.30am BST kick-off). Scroll down to see the analysis behind his selections.

Sweden vs Italy betting tips

• Both teams to score @ 11/10 with Unibet
• Stina Blackstenius to score anytime @ 12/5 with Unibet
• Over 4.5 Sweden corners and over 1.5 goals @ 23/20 with Unibet

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Goals could flow at the Sky Stadium

There have been few high-scoring matches in this Women’s World Cup so far, but this clash between Group G top guns Sweden and Italy could be an exception.

Both teams have netted in three of the previous four meetings between this pair, including the Swedes’ victory on penalties in the final of the Algarve Cup early last year after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Sweden, World Cup runners-up in 2003 and semi-finalists at Euro 2022, have an excellent record in major competitions and had been expected to make light work of this group.

However, Peter Gerhardsson’s side were pushed hard in their opening game by South Africa and, having trailed 1-0, required a last-minute winner from PSG defender Amanda Ilestedt to spare their blushes.

The South Africans had 10 shots in that game, four on target, so Italy should be optimistic about breaching a defence that has managed only one clean sheet in their past six internationals.

The Italians are also up and running after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Argentina, a third consecutive game without conceding for Milena Bertolini’s team.

But Sweden are more capable than recent opponents Argentina, New Zealand and Morocco – and before those outings, Italy had failed to keep a clean sheet in seven successive internationals.

A victory for either team will go a long way to their topping Group G, so the first goal could spark this contest into life.

Sweden vs Italy tip 1: Both teams to score @ 11/10 with Unibet

Blackstenius could be the Swedish hero

Arsenal star Stina Blackstenius scored eight goals in 22 appearances in the Women’s Super League last season and, as the focal point of Sweden’s attack, could make her presence felt against Italy.

The 27-year-old netted twice in six World Cup appearances four years ago and, although unable to get off the mark in the opening game against South Africa this time, she was a constant threat with her pace and movement.

Blackstenius scored in a 3-2 defeat to the Italians at Euro 2017, one of 28 goals in her 90 caps, and she looks a fair price to get on the scoresheet against the Azzurri once more.

Sweden vs Italy tip 2: Stina Blackstenius to score any time @ 12/5 with Unibet

Scandinavians should rack up the corners

Sweden have a greater attacking presence than Italy and are likely to create more clear-cut chances, so they could get plenty of corner kicks.

The Swedes registered 13 corners in their opening win over South Africa so should be backed to get at least six against the Italians as part of a bet builder.

We have added over 1.5 goals to this punt. In a crunch match that should determine who are the group winners, the Scandinavians are likely to look good going forward but be less convincing defensively – a weakness that Italy can exploit.

Sweden vs Italy tip 3: Over 4.5 Sweden corners and over 1.5 goals @ 23/20 with Unibet

Sweden vs Italy odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.