Norway qualified for the upcoming World Cup in imperious fashion, registering a perfect winning record in qualifying, and continue their preparations with a friendly against Sweden in Oslo on Monday.
By contrast, Sweden were dismal in qualification as they failed to win a single game, registering just two points and suffering four defeats as they finished bottom of Group B behind Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia.
However, Blagult made good use of their play-off place, beating Ukraine and Poland to reach the summer showpiece.
Norway v Sweden Tips Summary
Best Bet - Both teams to score @ 8/11
Alternative Bet - Correct Score 1-1 @ 6/1
Bet Builder - Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa & Alexander Isak all to have a shot on target @ 2/1
Norway v Sweden Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score @ 8/11
Norway are perhaps being seen as a dark horse for the World Cup as they are 25/1 in the outright market, and they start their final preparations for the upcoming showpiece with a friendly against Sweden in Oslo on Monday night.
Stale Solbakken’s men were hugely impressive in World Cup qualifying in Europe, winning all of their eight matches which included beating Italy 3-0 at home and 4-1 away.
No side in Europe got close to Norway’s tally of 37 goals in the qualification campaign, while they were also strong at the back with just five goals conceded.
Solbakken’s men are also unbeaten in their last 12 games at home, but there are a few points of caution to consider before thinking of taking the 4/5 on offer about the Red, White and Blue beating Sweden.
Erling Haaland, who scored 16 goals in qualification, will not play in Oslo as the Manchester City forward has been given some time to rest at home before the start of the World Cup.
Captain Martin Odegaard is another absentee, with the Arsenal man involved in the gruelling UEFA Champions League final battle on Saturday.
That leaves Norway a little short of their best, and the fact that Solbakken is leaving Haaland out, means that motivation for the hosts may not be at its peak.
Sweden took only two points from a miserable group-stage qualifying campaign, but Graham Potter’s appointment galvanised them to beat Ukraine 3-1 and then Poland 3-2 in the play-offs to qualify for the World Cup.
There is no doubt that Sweden are better than their group-stage record indicates and Potter has his side playing on the front foot.
Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres are dangerous forwards on the international scene, with the former expected to lead the line against Norway, with the Arsenal man resting after Saturday's game against Paris Saint-Germain.
The injury to Juventus defender Emil Holm weakens Sweden’s rearguard, but they are still likely to push forward in search of success in Oslo.
It’s 8/11 that both teams find the net in a contest which may lack defensive intensity and that looks a nice price.
Alternative Bet: Correct Score 1-1 @ 6/1
Norway look too short in the match betting market, particularly with no Haaland or Odegaard available.
However, Solbakken’s side are defending a proud 12-game unbeaten run on home turf and should still have enough quality to avoid defeat.
Sweden can call on Isak, Anthony Elanga, Lucas Bergvall and Yasin Ayari and are now a well-coached side under Graham Potter.
The Yellow and Blue can hope of a positive result in Oslo and playing a 1-1 correct score appeals at 6/1.
Norway v Sweden Bet Builder Tip
- Alexander Sorloth to have a shot on target
- Antonio Nusa to have a shot on target
- Alexander Isak to have a shot on target
Pays 2/1
Haaland’s absence leaves the path clear for Alexander Sorloth to lead the line for the hosts, and the Atletico Madrid giant averaged 1.59 shots on target per 90 minutes in La Liga this season.
Wide man Antonio Nusa averaged 3.96 shots per 90 minutes in six World Cup qualifying appearances and the RB Leipzig forward is another player who can register a shot on target.
Injury stopped Isak from making much of an impact for the bulk of the domestic season, but the Liverpool striker still hit five shots on target in his two qualifying starts for Sweden and he should be fresh to strike again.
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Key Match Stats
- Norway are unbeaten in their last 12 home games
- No side in Europe scored more than Norway’s 37 World Cup qualifying goals
- Five of Norway’s last seven games have gone over 2.5 goals
- Both teams have scored in all of Sweden’s last four games
- There have been 32 goals in Norway’s last seven matches
- Sweden have won only two of their last seven contests
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
