Sweden v Belgium Betting Preview – Euro 2016, 22nd June
There is everything to play for in this Group E fixture. Belgium woke themselves up after an opening defeat against Italy to put a big win over Ireland on the board. The Red Devils just need a point now to book second spot behind the Italians. As for Sweden, they have to produce a victory in this one to realistically have a shot at moving through. They have just the one point and that may not be enough to make it through as one of the best third placed team. A victory here would actually see them steal second place from the Belgians.
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Sweden v Belgium Betting Tips
Unfortunately for Sweden there hasn’t been a tremendous amount of promise shown that they could land the win that they would need to try and squeeze through to the next round of competition. They posted a draw in their opener against Ireland where they had to work for that and then fell 1-0 to Italy in their second game. The goal against Ireland was an own goal from the Irish, so technically the Swedes have yet to score and not even Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had much of an impact up front when it comes to that. That is reflected in the price of 15/8 that is on Ibrahimovic to score in the game against Belgium on Wednesday. Something very special is needed from the Swedes in this one aside from the hard work that they put into games. A win is likely going to the be the only thing that will get them to the next round.
A point would see them finish the group on two points and then it’s up to fate to see if that’s enough to make it through as one of the four best third placed teams. The more comfortable route is just to win this, but they have lost each of their last three games against the Belgians now and going forward, Sweden only managed the one goal in total across those three games. That came in a 2-1 defeat they suffered against the Red Devils at Euro 2000. Under 2.5 goals on this is one attempting at 8/11 because there is not a lot of potency from the Swedes up front. They are decent at the back and that could keep the goals at a premium in this one. Belgium can be hit and miss in tournament football, the Swedes will be hoping that they are having one of their off days.
Belgium opened their Euro 2016 account with a defeat against Italy, a game in which they were never in the running. They produced a big response in beating Ireland 3-0 in their second game but it was a game which still lacked a bit of cohesion from them and try benefited hugely from Ireland having a really poor game. Romelu Lukaku dd net twice against Ireland and he is a 5/4 price in the anytime goalscorer market against Sweden, that brace having done his confidence a world of good you would imagine. Belgium are stacked with quality individuals, but they aren’t always there as a unit. They have only gone W2 D1 L2 over their last five matches and the game against Ireland has been their only clean sheet recorded in their last nine games.. You can back both teams to score at even money.
Sweden v Belgium Betting Odds
Belgium 3/4, Draw 11/4, Sweden 17/4
Sweden v Belgium Predictions
There just hasn’t been enough from the Swedes to suggest that they can beat a decent side like Belgium. The Red Devils will be thriving from the extra confidence of having produced a big win over Ireland and should have enough to take an edge in this one. Look for a low scoring game but Belgium to edge it.
