Sweden Vs Kosovo
Sweden Vs Kosovo Saturday, 9 October 2021 – 17:00 (BST)
World Cup Qualifier
Pick: Sweden/Sweden (HT/FT Betting)
Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 7 October 2021)
Preview: Should Sweden win their games in hand, they will surge to the top of Group B. The first of those takes places this weekend, aiming for a repeat of their 3-0 win over Kosovo last March when the teams reconvene in Solna on Saturday.
World Cup Qualifying Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Sweden – Blue and Yellows to pick up three points the hard way?
Janne Andersson masterminded a big upset during the most recent international break, as his Swedish side overcame the disappointment of conceding early to seal their first win over Spain for fifteen years. That was here in Solna, where they have now won the past seven matches – five of them by a single goal margin – and will be feeling confident of extending that hot streak when they take on Kosovo.
Any feel good vibes garnered from victory against the Spanish will have diminished, however, following defeat in Greece next time out. Consequently, Sweden resume qualifying second in Group B. Still very much prominent but trailing Spain, who have played two games more than Andersson’s men, by four points. Three points on Saturday, against the side they thrashed 3-0 in March, are therefore imperative.
Key Stat: Sweden haven’t recorded a clean sheet in any of their past five international games, while four of their last five wins at home were despite conceding on at least one instance.
Kosovo – Can visitors avoid another lethargic start?
After enjoying something of a breakout campaign during EURO 2020 qualifying, finishing in third place with a more than respectable 11 points in a group containing England and the Czech Republic, we had come to expect more of a plucky and evidently talented group of players. This hasn’t really been the case so far, though, and they head to Sweden knowing defeat would all but eliminate them from qualifying contention.
Kosovo sit fourth in Group B and are well off the pace set by Spain and Sweden. They’ve been outclassed by that duo as well. Crushed 3-0 at home by the latter, they were well beaten both times they encountered La Roja. Two of their three goals have come against Greece and Georgia, the other the culmination of a defensive mix up in their 3-1 defeat in Seville. Suggesting a long night is in store on their first voyage to Sweden.
Key Stat: Kosovo have found themselves behind at half-time in all three of their World Cup qualifying losses so far, losing the first-half in four out of five qualifiers.
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Sweden Vs Kosovo Betting Advice
Having eased to victory when the sides met first time around back in March, winning 3-0 in the Kosovo capital of Pristina, Sweden are expected to make light work of this renewal. Janne Andersson and his players are enjoying a seven game winning streak in home internationals, pulling off a 2-1 win over Spain in their latest qualifier to have taken place in Solna, but did concede in all of the last three.
Sweden Vs Kosovo – Key Facts:
- Kosovo trailed at half-time in four of five World Cup qualifiers, losing three. This includes the 3-0 reverse suffered at home to Sweden back in March.
- That aforementioned result means Kosovo are still waiting for their first goal versus Sweden, having also lost a friendly 1-0 that was held at a neutral ground in January 2020.
- It is now five games running conceding at least once for Sweden, whose last three victories on home soil were despite their defence being breached.
Furthermore, it is five successive matches without a clean sheet for Sweden, whose reputation for steadfast defending has eroded a little of late. Kosovo are hardly the most formidable of sides, though. They’ve scored just three in five qualifying encounters thus far. The visitors do posses a number of dangerous individuals, however, namely Milot Rashica and Vedat Muriqi. At longer odds, the hosts winning without a clean sheet certainly appeals.
Best Betting Odds – Sweden vs Kosovo
Sweden – 1/3 (Betfair)
Draw – 4/1 (BetVictor)
Kosovo – 10/1 (WilliamHill)
