The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Europe are heating up, and Group B is already shaping into a thrilling contest. With Switzerland tipped to dominate the group, Slovenia and Sweden could be battling for the vital second spot, making their opening tie a potential decider.
Match Preview: Slovenia’s Quiet Rise
Slovenia has rediscovered its faith in football after ending a 20+ year wait to feature in the European Championship last year. Now, they aim to break another drought by returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
They enter this clash unbeaten in five matches (W3, D2), including a strong UEFA Nations League B performance in which they defeated Slovakia across two legs. This resilience, combined with the expansion of UEFA qualifying slots from 13 to 16, significantly boosts their chances.
One area of concern, however, is their slow starts. Slovenia has led at halftime in only one of its last eight matches, which could be costly against a fast-finishing side like Sweden.
Match Preview: Sweden’s Relentless Form
Sweden entered the qualifiers on a high under coach Jon Dahl Tomasson. They recently swept aside Hungary (2-0) and Algeria (4-3) in friendlies, extending a strong run of form that also saw them cruise to UEFA Nations League B promotion with five wins from six.
Their matches are rarely dull – 12 of their last 15 games have produced over 2.5 goals. With attacking talent like Viktor Gyökeres and the returning Alexander Isak (though not fully fit), Sweden boasts serious firepower.
Head-to-Head History
Slovenia has never beaten Sweden in four attempts (D2, L2). Their last meetings came in the 2022/23 Nations League, where Sweden won 2-0 in Ljubljana.
This psychological edge could play a role, especially given Sweden’s proven ability to grind results away from home.
Hot Stats and Streaks
- Slovenia’s last five matches were decided by one goal or drawn.
- Sweden conceded a first-half goal in only one of their last eight wins.
- Benjamin Šeško has scored first in seven of his last ten international goals for Slovenia.
- Viktor Gyökeres scored four goals in his last Sweden match and tends to close the scoring late in games.
Key Absences
- Slovenia: Jon Gorenc Stanković is sidelined after injury.
- Sweden: Dejan Kulusevski misses out, while Alexander Isak is expected to be limited due to fitness.
Betting Insight
For punters, this match offers intrigue:
- Anytime Scorer Pick: Viktor Gyökeres is in explosive form and looks excellent value to find the net again.
- Goals Market: With Sweden’s trend of high-scoring matches and Slovenia’s narrow-margin results, the Over 2.5 Goals market is worth considering.
- Result Prediction: Sweden’s edge in experience and attacking depth should prove decisive. A 2-1 away win appears to be a realistic outcome.
Final Prediction
- Result: Sweden to win 2-1
- Likely Goalscorer: Viktor Gyökeres
- Best Value Bet: Over 2.5 Goals
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