The Swedes Get A Second Bite At The Cherry Despite Going Winless In Qualifying
Estadi Ciutat de Valencia | World Cup Play-Off Path B Semi-Final | Thursday March 26 | 7:45pm
Ahead of Thursday’s crunch European World Cup play-off semi-final, BetVictor News brings you the Ukraine vs Sweden preview, prediction, H2H record, betting angles, team news and more.
Ukraine Vs Sweden Preview
Being placed in a group alongside France meant that Ukraine were always going to be up against it with a play-off berth the most likely outcome. And that is exactly what they achieved which is an admirable accomplishment since their ‘home’ games are currently played on neutral territory.
Their only defeats in Group D came against Les Bleus who finished as runners-up in Qatar four years ago. Which is nothing to be too concerned by when they take on an out-of-sorts Sweden side in Valencia on March 26.
Under the guidance of former Tottenham forward Sergiy Rebrov, the Ukrainians arrive on the Iberian Peninsula in good shape. Which is why they are the favourites in BetVictor’s Ukraine vs Sweden betting market.
As for Graham Potter’s side, they ‘earned’ their play-off spot by virtue of their strong Nations League campaign. However, failing to win six qualifying games is a huge concern. And with star man Alexander Isak out injured, Ukraine will strongly fancy their chances of progressing to the final against Albania or Poland.
Ukraine Vs Sweden H2H Record
The Ukraine vs Sweden H2H record showcases one clear winner. The Eastern Europeans have won four of the five encounters whereby they have faced each other. The last of these came at the 2020 European Championship where Artem Dovbyk scored a 120th minute winner to clinch a 2-1 R16 victory.
Prior to that, legendary forward Andriy Shevchenko scored twice in another 2-1 European Championship win back in 2012. The only Swedish success came in a friendly the year previous. Tobias Hysen scored the only goal of the game.
Ukraine wins: 4
Draws: 0
Sweden wins: 1
Ukraine World Cup qualifiers: W-L-W-W-D-L
Sweden World Cup qualifiers: D-L-L-L-L-D
Ukraine Vs Sweden Team News
For those who follow the European World Cup play-off markets and odds, the number of injuries and suspensions that have accumulated between both sides is worth bearing in mind. Perhaps the nation with the biggest concerns is Sweden.
Not only is Alexander Isak missing, Emil Krafth, Viktor Johansson and Dejan Kulusevski will also be absent in Valencia. Although, Graham Potter can take confidence in the fact Anthony Elanga and Viktor Gyokeres are in reasonably good form.
Ukraine will have to make do without Artem Dovbyk and Oleksandr Zinchenko who are both injured. Meanwhile, Sergiy Rebrov will also have to navigate Thursday’s clash without suspended duo Ruslan Malinovskyi and Yukhym Konoplia.
Ukraine Vs Sweden Predicted Lineups
Ukraine predicted lineup:
Trubin; Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Svatok, Mykolenko; Yarmolyuk, Kalyuzhnyi, Sudakov; Hutsuliak, Vanat, Zubkov
Sweden predicted lineup:
Nordfeldt; Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelff, Svensson; Lundgren, Bergvall, Ayari, Elanga; Bardghji, Gyokeres
Ukraine Vs Sweden Betting Angles
Key Match Stats
- Ukraine have won four of their five overall meetings including the last two on the trot
- Sweden’s last competitive win came against Azerbaijan in November 2024 – seven matches back
- There has never been a draw between Ukraine and Sweden
Top Betting Angles for Ukraine Vs Sweden
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Lean towards ‘Yes.’ Ukraine have one clean sheet in 13 whereas Sweden have netted in their last two
- Over 2.5 Goals: Sweden games away from home have seen six of the last seven produce over 2.5 goals. Eight of Ukraine’s last 11 home or away has also seen it come in
- Corners market: Over 10.5 is worth some thought owing to a winner-takes-all play-off between two sides desperate to qualify. Expect attacking football with plenty of chances created
Ukraine Vs Sweden Prediction
Ukraine certainly have the upper-hand going into the match owing to Sweden’s surprising slumber in qualifying. Sergiy Rebrov’s side know they have it in them to thwart the Scandinavians and we are backing the Eastern Europeans to progress in a high-scoring thriller.
Prediction: Ukraine 3-2 Sweden
