Sweden vs Czech Republic Predictions

• Sweden won all four of their home group games, keeping three clean sheets and only conceding to Spain.
• The visitors will be without key striker Patrik Schick, who averages more than a goal every two games for his country.
• Sweden have won each of their last nine home games, including triumphs over Croatia and Spain.

Swedes looking for play-off glory after disappointing finish

For a long period, Sweden looked likely to pip Spain to top spot in Group B of UEFA’s World Cup Qualifying campaign, which would have represented an incredible achievement for Janne Anderson’s men, who have qualified for eight of the last 13 World Cups.

Back-to-back defeats to Georgia and Spain put paid to their chances of automatic qualification, but after avoiding Italy and Portugal in the play-offs draw, Anderson’s team will be confident of reaching Qatar. Home advantage will be key for the Swedes in their semi-final; they have won each of their last nine home games, including competitive wins over Croatia and Spain, and kept three clean sheets in their four home group games.

Opponents Czech Republic, meanwhile, are here by virtue of their Nations League performances after finishing behind both Belgium and Wales in Group E. The Czech’s away record in that group was average, losing without scoring at both of the top two, and they have now won just two of their last seven away games. Their task will be made harder by the absence of star striker Patrik Schick, who has withdrawn through injury after netting 20 Bundesliga goals for Bayer Leverkusen this term.

Solid hosts can edge past weakened Czechs

The loss of Schick, who netted eight goals in 11 international games during 2021, could prove costly to the visitors’ hopes of making the trip to Qatar. Only Jan Voller has a better strike-rate for the country judging by goals per game, with Schick averaging 0.52 international goals per game.

With that in mind, a Sweden team with five clean sheets in their last seven home internationals should be backed to advance to a final clash with Poland. A 1-0 home win could prove a decent correct score prediction.