2018 World Cup Prediction: Sweden vs. England Odds

Is it coming home? English football fans have been waiting more than 50 years to be crowned kings of the world on the pitch again, and the Three Lions are favoured to advance to the semifinals in a World Cup for the first time since 1994. All that stands in their way is the Zlatan-less Swedes in a quarterfinal match this weekend.

World Cup 2018: Sweden vs. England Betting Analysis

It’s no secret why Sweden are in the quarterfinals. The same side that held Italy scoreless in a two-leg playoff to determine a place in Russia has kept clean sheets in five of its last six matches. The under (2.5 goals) is 8-3 in the Blue-Yellow’s last 11 matches overall.

They’ve scored six goals at the 2018 World Cup; two of those came off penalties, one was an own goal, one was off a careless German pass, and the winning goal against Switzerland in the last 16 was deflected in off the leg of a Swiss defender.

England have lost just one of their last 20 games and that came with the reserve unit on the pitch in the final group match against Belgium. Finishing second in Group G paved a much easier path to the final for the Three Lions.

Sweden

The Swedes have lost the possession and shot battle in each of their last three matches in this tournament. Germany, Mexico and Switzerland all had more of the ball against Sweden. Coach Janne Anderson’s men have five goals on 14 shots on target over the last three World Cup contests.

Starting striker Marcus Berg has shanked a number of good scoring chances in Russia and playmaker Emile Forsberg bagged his first goal of the tournament in last round’s victory over Switzerland. Defender and team captain Andreas Granqvist (+695) might be the best shout to score for Sweden. He’s the designated penalty taker and already has two goals in the tournament.

England

The Three Lions have jumped to the third favourite to win the tournament on the World Cup odds after the departures of Spain and Germany in the earlier rounds. Captain Harry Kane sits on six goals heading into Saturday’s match and is two ahead of Romelu Lukaku for the tournament lead. Kane is the favourite to take the Golden Boot honours as the top scorer at the 2018 World Cup at -411.

Sweden vs. England Prediction

England 1, Sweden 0: England will move on thanks to more magic from Harry Kane and Sweden will leave with their heads held high after a brave defensive showing.