Sweden vs USA
Women’s World Cup
Round of 16
Sunday
6th August 2023
AAMI Park
Preview, detailed analysis and predictions for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16 fixture between Sweden and USA.
Sweden form analysis
In the friendly matches, Sweden experienced mixed fortunes. On 7th April, they faced a narrow 0-1 defeat against Denmark in Malmö, Sweden. However, they showed resilience in their following friendly match on 11th April, holding Norway to an exciting 3-3 draw in Gothenburg, Sweden. These matches demonstrated Sweden’s ability to compete against quality European opponents, but also highlighted the need to improve their defensive solidity.
In an unofficial match on 17th July, Sweden’s XI displayed their dominance with an impressive 5-1 victory over The Philippines XI in Wellington, New Zealand. This match showcased Sweden’s ability to control the game and exploit the weaknesses of lower-ranked teams.
Moving on to the FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage, Sweden demonstrated their strong form and competitive spirit. On 23rd July, they secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand. This result emphasized Sweden’s determination and ability to come out on top in challenging matches.
In their second group stage game on 29th July, Sweden displayed their attacking prowess and dominance, recording a convincing 5-0 win against Italy in Wellington, New Zealand. This result showcased Sweden’s goal-scoring ability and their capability to dismantle strong opposition.
In their final fixture of the group stage, they took all three points off Argentina with two second half goals without reply. Thus securing a top of the group finish.
USA form analysis
On 22nd July, the United States showcased their dominance in the opening World Cup match against Vietnam, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory. Samantha Smith was the standout performer, scoring two crucial goals in the 14th and 45th minutes, respectively. Her early brace set the tone for the match, giving the United States a comfortable lead going into halftime. Lindsey Horan further extended the scoreline with a goal in the 77th minute, solidifying their well-deserved win.
On 27th July, the United States faced a formidable challenge against the Netherlands. The match ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw, with both teams displaying their competitive spirit. The Netherlands took an early lead in the 17th minute through Jill Roord’s goal, putting the United States under pressure. However, the United States exhibited resilience and determination, as Lindsey Horan’s goal in the 62nd minute equalized the score. This draw demonstrated the United States’ ability to bounce back from a deficit and secure a valuable point against a strong opponent.
On 1st August, the United States played a closely contested goalless draw against Portugal in their third group stage match. The game was tightly fought, with both teams unable to find the back of the net.
Sweden vs USA: Predictions
Blågult despite suffering a scare against the overperforming South Africa managed to maintain a perfect record in the group stages. The USWNT, however, have had a dreadful campaign according to their standards at least.
With their current form taken into consideration it is hard to back The Stars and Stripes despite their star power. I expect a low scoring fixture going Sweden’s way.
