Sweden vs Malta Predictions

Sweden and Malta both picked up 2-1 victories in their first qualifying matches of Group F, against Romania and Faroe Islands respectively, but Sweden then added a point to their tally courtesy of a dramatic 3-3 draw in Norway, while Malta were beaten 2-0 at home by former World and European champions Spain.

Sweden went 2-0 down away at Norway in March, but Claesson pulled a goal back with twenty minutes left on the clock and four minutes from time an own goal from the unfortunate Nordtveit appeared to have rescued the visitors a point. However, Sweden then took the lead in stoppage time through Quaison only to see Kamara score a dramatic equaliser for the hosts with virtually the last kick of the match, as the game ended 3-3. Malta were dominated by Spain in their own backyard, with the visitors having 80% of the possession and having sixteen shots to the hosts two during the ninety minutes, but the scoreline remained respectable. Álvaro Morata scored a goal in each half to help Spain on their way to a 2-0 win, but they were positives, from a defensive point of view, for Malta to take from the match.

The head to head record and performances of both sides since the latter stages of 2018, suggests that Sweden will win, but that under 2.5 goals could be scored. Sweden have won all of their eleven matches against Friday-s guests, and Malta have only scored two goals against Sweden in their eleven meetings since 1972. Under 2.5 goals were scored in three of Sweden’s last six and three of Malta’s last five matches, but the hosts have won three of their last six matches and their guests have lost three of their last six. Malta have failed to score in two of their last four international matches, but showed defensive strength against Spain, which is why we’re backing a narrow 2-0 win for Sweden on Friday.

Sweden’s main goal threat, Berg, has scored nineteen goals in sixty-nine appearances for his country, but at the age of 32 and playing for Al Ain, the striker is passed his best. Malta striker and captain Michael Mifsud is now 38-years old and has scored forty-one times for the visitors in one-hundred and thirty-eight appearances, but the hosts shouldn’t have to worry about the veteran too much if they dominate the possession as expected. We’re confident that under 2.5 goals will be scored on Friday, and have predicted a 2-0 win for Sweden. The hosts have won all of their matches against Malta and only conceded twice in the pairs previous eleven encounters, but the last match between the two countries ended 1-0 and both teams have been involved in a number of matches that have ended with under 2.5 goals being scored since October last year.