Sweden face reigning champions, USA in a blockbuster Round of 16 tie at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Sweden are looking to reach the Quarter-Finals for the second consecutive Women’s World Cup, and in-turn avoid a Round of 16 exit in two of the last three tournaments.
USA meanwhile will be seeking to avoid suffering their earliest ever exit at this tournament – having reached the semi-finals at all eight previous editions.
Team News
Sweden have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to report after their 2-0 win over Argentina in Group G.
USA have no fresh injury concerns to report but Rose Lavelle is suspended, having picked up her second booking of the tournament in the Americans’ goalless draw against Portugal in Group E.
When is Kick-Off?
Sweden meet USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia at 10am UK Time on Sunday 6 August, live on ITV1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sweden have won just one of six previous Women’s World Cup meetings against USA (W1, D1, L4).
- USA have scored first in four of the five matches against Sweden at a Women’s World Cup to feature at least one goal, except for a 2-1 defeat at 2011 tournament.
- This is the first Women’s World Cup clash between Sweden and USA to take place in the knockout stages, although the Swedes prevailed in their only previous knockout clash at 2016 Olympics via penalties after a 1-1 draw.
- None of Sweden’s five goalscorers at this tournament are yet to also create an assist.
- USA have converted just 17 of 63 shots onto target of which just four shots ended up as goals.
Prediction
Entering this World Cup, I would be surprised if many had Sweden and USA down to meet at this stage yet their contrasting form makes this a match-up to relish.
Sweden topped Group G as expected and can come into this game full of confidence, such is their defence-into-attack transitions and general play overall which very few teams will relish facing at present on pure form.
USA in contrast looked very shaky against Portugal with a low confidence defence and an attack which lacked much end product, which has been a common theme for them this tournament so a huge improvement is required if they want to avoid an embarrasingly early exit.
These Americans however do tend to thrive on anger when under pressure so can’t be written off just yet, although I do fancy Sweden to get a result if they play with the same resilience and quality which has served them well unlike USA in this tournament.
Either way, this game could well be close if USA turn up and put in the effort but we can’t forget that this tournament is full of twists, and I genuinely do feel like another shock could well be looming in Melbourne as there is no better time for the Swedes to cause a giant slaying.
Prediction: Sweden 2-1 USA
Result: Sweden 0-0 USA (Sweden win 5-4 on penalties)