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Sweden v Belgium – Betting Preview  

Sweden v Belgium – Betting Preview

 

Sweden Summary 

Sweden will aim to beat Belgium and start the qualification the best way possible. They made headlines of recalling their legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the next couple of games.

The AC Milan striker is back from a knee injury but rumours are that he is there as much for morale support as to make an impact.

Either way, the record international goal scorer is a part of the squad and will likely demand he plays at least some minutes. He has already publicly said that he isn’t here to be a cheerleader.

Alexander Isak is more than likely to begin and be the new focal point of to attack. He is fast becoming a key man now fully fit for Newcastle United. There was some doubt about his status having only recent returned from a serious injury.

Sweden did not make Qatar World Cup and so have something to prove, they will go for the three points here but not be too unhappy with a draw.

 

Belgium Summary 

Belgium have plenty to prove and ground to make up with the supporters after an embarrassing and lack lustre effort in Qatar.

Their shock group-stage exit brought about a change in management as Roberto Martinez parted ways with the nation before the turn of the Year.

Former Leipzig boss Domenico Tedesco is the new man in charge in one of the notoriously difficult squads to maximise in the European game.

The belief and hope is however, that with a facelift in the squad since 2023, the levels of effort, passion, and commitment should become more reliable.

The most controversial changes so far under the new boss was that Mertens and Axel Witsel were both dropped.

Mertens and Witsel have 239 caps between them and were once key men in Belgium’s ‘golden generation’, so all signs are that this new boss wants to move onto pastures new.

Michy Batshuayi and Youri Tielemans are injured and remain out.

Former Captain Eden Hazard, Toby Alderweireld and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet have all since announced their retirement from international football.

Belgium’s most capped international Jan Vertonghen keeps his place in this squad but cannot be certain he will still be welcome come 2024. He is still strong in the air as shown below, but not the same commanding figure he was once.

Teenage midfielder Romeo Lavia is the only new call-up, he belongs to Southampton in the EPL.

Betting Analysis

Looking at the 1×2 market first. Belgium look short @ 2.10 to win.

Sweden are always capable of making it a tough game and they are @ 3.25 to win, the draw is @ 3.20.

Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Belgium -0.25 is a slight favourite @ 1.83.

Sweden did not make Qatar world cup and so have something to prove, they could settle for a draw here, +0.25 @ 1.96. This is a small preference.

Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all. The line is set at 2.25.

The Over is @ 1.86 and Under sits @ 1.97. There is probably reasonable amounts of mutual respect here which normally leans to it being a tight game.