Sweden vs Slovakia
Sweden and Slovakia meet at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on Friday where both will make a case for their presence in the Round of 16.
Few neutrals expected Slovakia to breeze through the Euro 2020 group stages, but they made a great start on Monday evening, beating Poland while keeping Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski quiet. And Sweden too had a strong opening, holding a talented Spain side to a goalless draw. A good start in the finals can lead to greater things and both nations have reason to be optimistic.
So Sweden and Slovakia have picked up the two most eye-catching Euro 2020 results of the campaign so far, and they are now in great shape to push on for a place in the knockouts. A draw might be enough to see Slovakia through, while a win in either of their last two games will do for Sweden.
Talking Points
Can Sweden bite without Zlatan?
Even though they arrived at Euro 2020 on a winning run, Sweden would have taken a 0-0 draw with Spain before the campaign began, but maybe not if their legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had been fit. The Swedes have, for many years, been a tough team to break down, but in Ibrahimovic they had a weapon which cut any defence to ribbons and win a game in an instant.
Without Zlatan, Sweden have a little less star quality, but they will never be accused of lacking fight, and they showed just that to take a point off the group favourites on Monday night. With less than 15 per cent possession the Swedes simply repelled the Spanish threat with a well organised defence and a great performance from keeper Robin Olsen. Spain won the shot count by 17 to four and five to one on target, but Sweden could even have nicked a win, but Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak hit the post and Marcus Berg spurned a great chance.
Red Bull Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg is a creative talent; making the highest number of assists (22) in Europe’s five major leagues in 2017 and helping Sweden reach the 2018 World Cup quarter finals. He could be the man to carve out an opening.
Skriniar can take Slovakia on
Stefan Tarkovic’s team put on a good show against the Poles and ran out worthy winners, but there was a pre-match boost for fans with the news that Marek Hamsik would win his 127th international cap, and the former Napoli midfielder was hugely influential in an anchor role. At Euro 2020 Hamsik scored in Slovakia’s win over Russia and he’s been the nation’s talisman for a decade but, now 33, this could be his last major tournament. But Slovakia have another world class player who can take up the baton. Milan Skriniar scored the winner against Poland and he has emerged as the man who can inspire Slovakia beyond the Hamsik era. He’s an imposing figure at the back and, as he proved with his fine strike against the Poles he has plenty to offer further up the pitch. Having won the Scudetto with Inter Milan at the age of 26 Skriniar is approaching his peak and he can drive his team on to greater heights. Winger Robert Mak has also started the campaign well and created the opening goal against Poland with a mazy run and a shot, which went in at the near post after bouncing off the post and then the arm of Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
The winning start means Slovakia are now in great shape to make the Round of 16 and our latest odds back them at odds of 1.65 to exit in the first stage of the knockout phase. Of course they could even make it further, but to reach the last 16 would be better than many Slovaks expected.
History
Both teams come into this match unbeaten in six games, Sweden had five consecutive wins before drawing with Spain, while Slovakia have won two and drawn four.
These nations have met three times before, all in friendly games, and have drawn twice. Sweden won the other game by a thumping 6-0 score line in 2017 but in the most recent encounter, in 2018, they played out a 1-1 draw. Past meetings can help inform our Sweden vs Slovakia betting tips, but the action from Monday, still clearly in memory, holds more weight.
Betting Tip
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Sweden vs Slovakia | Slovakia Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 1.79 |
| June 18, 21:00 (GMT+8) |
At odds of 1.86 Sweden are favourites to win with the draw at 3.20 and Slovakia at 4.40 to pull off another surprise. A draw could well be on; and we’re expecting a tight game, with a 1-0 Sweden victory the lowest odds at 5.50, while a 1-1 draw is at 6.00. But the momentum is with Slovakia.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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