Preview: Sweden Women vs. Switzerland Women – prediction, team news, team lineups
Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s European Championship match for women between Sweden Women and Switzerland Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sweden Women will be looking to win their first win in Ladies’ EC 2022 when they meet Switzerland women at Bramall Lane on Wednesday.
Switzerland also aim to take three points for the first time in the tournament after playing a 2-2 draw against Portugal in their opening match.
Match preview
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Sweden started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against the defending champions of the Netherlands on Saturday, even though they would have been disappointed to miss three points after taking the lead.
Jonna Andersson put his side in the lead in the 35th minute and made sure that Sweden led at half time, however a Jill Roord strike seven minutes after the restart resulted in the exchange being split.
The highest-ranked team at the European Championships will now focus on their remaining group matches against Switzerland and Portugal.
With all four countries in the group currently on one point, Peter Gerhardssons side knows that a victory on Wednesday will bring them closer to the quarter-finals, with Sweden wanting to continue their 100% record of reaching the knockout rounds at the European Championships.
After defeating Switzerland 4-1 in the last meeting between the two teams in February 2019, Sweden will be sure that they can take three points.
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At the same time, Switzerland will aim to defy the odds on Wednesday when they face a Swedish team that is ranked second in FIFA’s world rankings.
Like their opponents, Nils Nielsens team also played a draw on match day one after Switzerland rejected a two-goal lead against Portugal.
Switzerland drove out of the blocks, with Coumba Sow and Rahel Kiwic make one goal each during the first five minutes to give their country control over the meeting.
In all cases, Diana Gomes withdrew a goal after half time before Jessica Silva restored parity in the 65th minute, ensuring that the competition ended completely.
If they are to reach the knockout rounds of the European Championships for the first time in their history, Switzerland must end a victory-free victory without seven matches, where Switzerland is still waiting for its first victory in 2022.
Sweden Women’s EC form:
Sweden Women form (all competitions):
Switzerland, ladies, European Championship form:
Switzerland women’s form (all competitions):
Team news
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Sweden is expected to continue with a back three built by Amanda Ilestedt, Nathalie Björn and Magdalena Eriksson.
After returning from injury, Stina Blackstenius has been a substitute in Sweden’s last two international matches, and she could once again sit on the bench, with Gerhardsson set to mention an unchanged line-up.
If Blackstenius is left out of the starting eleven, they will operate with a front three that contains Kosovare Asllani, Fridolina Rolfo and Lina Hurtig.
As for Switzerland, their preparations for the competition were thrown into disarray on Monday when they had to cancel training due to eight players suffering from stomach problems.
If they recover in time for Wednesday’s meeting, Switzerland can also mention an unchanged line-up.
Sow will try to add the goal as she did in the opening match when she has a prominent position against Sweden.
Sweden Women possible starting lineup:
Lindahl; Ilestedt, Björn, Eriksson; Glas, Angeldal, Seger, Andersson; Asllani, Rolfo, Hurtig
Switzerland Ladies possible starting lineup:
Thalmann; Maritz, Calligaris, Kiwic, Aigbogun; Crnogorcevic, Walti, Maendly, Reuteler; Sow; Bachmann
We say: Sweden Women 2-0 Switzerland Women
Although Switzerland showed promise in their opening match against Portugal, we believe that they will fall short when they face a Swedish team that is considered a challenger to win the entire tournament.
For data analysis of the most likely results, result lines and more for this match, click here.
Top tips
Our expert tips partners at Sporita.com betting under 3.5 goals in this match. click here to find out what more they predict for this game and for more of their proven football tips.Under 3.5: data