Seeking an immediate response on Thursday evening, Sweden will welcome Greece to Solna in midweek for a pre-World Cup friendly battle.
Ahead of Sweden’s final showdown before jetting off to North America, there are plenty of intriguing betting promotions and bonuses available.
Verdict: Alexander Isak to score anytime
Starting with the hosts, while Sweden might have dragged themselves to this summer’s World Cup as they booked their major tournament role in the most dramatic of fashion, Graham Potter’s side saw their momentum take a major blow earlier in the week. Getting their final stint of World Cup preparations underway with a downbeat 3-1 defeat at the hands of historic rivals Norway, the former Chelsea boss is desperately searching for an immediate response here. Failing to find any kind of stability over recent times, Sweden have also gained an unwanted reputation for their defensive struggles. Despite booking their ticket to North America thanks to a famous 3-2 win against Poland on March 31st, Thursday’s hosts have failed to record a clean sheet from any of their previous 10 consecutive matchups across all fronts.
Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike against Norway earlier in the week, Liverpool ace Alexander Isak should be handed a full recall on Thursday evening. Likewise, crowned as a Europa League champion with Aston Villa this season, skipper Victor Lindelof should also feature from the start.
Given what has been a speedy turnaround following Monday’s 3-1 defeat, Potter will almost certainly make a string of alterations here. Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren could be handed a start in Solna.
As for the visitors, while Greece might have opened their respective World Cup qualifying adventure last year with their sights set on mounting a genuine charge, Ivan Jovanovic’s side endured a downbeat Group C campaign. Only mustering a single win from any of their final five qualifying appearances and limping their way over the finishing line, the Ethniki have continued to show some glaring issues since opening 2026. Getting the New Year underway with a toothless 1-0 loss at the hands of Paraguay, Greece should also have a mounting headache over his side’s struggles in the final third. Signing off their Group C charge with a 0-0 stalemate against Belarus back in November, Thursday’s guests have failed to find the net in almost 300 minutes of action.
Despite being relegated with West Ham this season, Konstantinos Mavropanos has been recalled to Greece’s squad after missing out back in March due to a muscle issue. Featuring in each of Brighton’s final four consecutive Premier League appearances, 19-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas has been included in Jovanovic’s squad.
Notching 22 domestic strikes for Benfica this season and only finishing behind Sporting Lisbon’s Luis Suarez in the race for Portugal’s Golden Boot, leading marksman Vangelis Pavlidis will spearhead Greece’s charge in the final third.
Sweden vs Greece Key Factors to Consider
- When Sweden and Greece last met back in October 2021 for a World Cup qualifying battle, Thursday’s hosts collected a 2-0 victory on home soil.
- Potter’s side have failed to record a clean sheet from any of their previous 10 consecutive matchups across all fronts.
- Greece have recorded just a single win from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
- Thursday’s guests have failed to find the net in almost 300 minutes of action.
- Greece have drawn consecutive blanks on the road for the first time since back in September 2023.
Sweden’s three matches so far this calendar year have produced 13 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Completely blown away earlier in the week as they eventually fell to a 3-1 drumming against historic rivals Norway, Sweden are desperately searching for an immediate response here. Searching for a much-welcomed boost before the head out to North America next week, Potter’s side should take some solace from their most recent showdown against Thursday’s guests. Securing a 2-0 win when they welcomed Greece to Solna for a World Cup qualifying showdown back in October 2021, the ex-Chelsea boss will be dreaming of a repeat display.
Verdict: Alexander Isak to score anytime
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