Spain Women v Sweden Women

Spain Women vs Sweden Women Preview

Spain have ventured deeper into unchartered territory in this World Cup as they squeezed out Netherlands in the quarter-finals, needing extra-time in order to progress through to the semi-final stage after the scores were level after normal time, and they'll now take on Sweden who have become the ‘dark horses' in this tournament.

Spain's previous best at any World Cup up until now was to reach the last 16 but national coach, Jorge Vilda, has guided his squad into the last four of this current competition where they have won four of their five matches played to date.

Early wins in the group stage against Costa Rica and Zambia set Spain up nicely to qualify for the knockout rounds and despite being dealt a heavy 4-0 defeat by Japan, Spain had already qualified by then which saw them equal their previous best of appearing in the round of last 16.

However, Spain cruised through to the quarter-finals after handing a comprehensive 5-1 beating against Switzerland and then accounted for Netherlands in extra-time in the last eight fixtures.

The bigger picture shows Spain have won 14 of their last 16 matches overall as they have dominated the majority of their opposition but the last meeting with Sweden ended in a 1-1 draw in a friendly back in October of last year.

Sweden have quietly and methodically gone about their business in this World Cup and have for the most part, managed to successfully fly under the radar but their 2-1 win against one of the favourites, Japan, in the quarter-finals has seen Peter Gerhardsson's team lay down a marker with a statement of intent.

Sweden finished top of Group G with relative ease as they secured important wins against South Africa, Italy and Argentina, recording a 100% winning record in the process and the Swedes have continued this impressive momentum into the knockout rounds as well.

Peter Gerhardsson's team managed to hold mighty USA to a 0-0 draw in normal and extra-time in the round of last 16 tie which then went to penalties with Sweden emerging as victors to progress into the last eight of the competition.

The subsequent win against Japan has now made the other nations sit up and take notice and this upcoming fixture against Spain looks an intriguing one when both teams face off at Eden Park in Auckland on Tuesday night.

Spain Women v Sweden Women Verdict

The recent previous meeting between Spain and Sweden resulted in a 1-1 draw and another low-scoring encounter is expected in this semi-final with so much riding on the result here.

Under 2.5 goals beckons, as does the possibility of a draw.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 1.61

Other side bets worth considering:

Both Teams To Score Yes @ 2.00

Draw @ 3.40