Ukraine vs Sweden Predictions

• Sweden failed to win any of their six Group B qualification games (D2, L4).
• Ukraine have won three of their last four games.
• Ukraine have won four of their last six designated home games.

Ukraine can snatch final spot

With World Cup 2026 just a few months away, there are four European spots still up for grabs and Ukraine and Sweden begin their bids to claim one of those places in the Path B semi-finals at the Estadi Ciutat de València in Spain on Thursday.

Ukraine secured their spot in the play-offs by finishing behind France in Group D, while Sweden have reached this stage despite a woeful run in Group B.

The Swedes picked up just two points from their six games and finished bottom of the group, replacing Jon Dahl Tomasson with Graham Potter as manager for their final two qualifiers (D1, L1), but their results in the last Nations League cycle ensured they were always at least guaranteed a play-off spot.

Perhaps surprisingly the Swedes come into the game as marginal favourites at around 6/4. On paper, their squad is arguably the stronger of the two teams but Ukraine are in far better form and they look capable of defying the odds.

Only France managed to beat Ukraine during qualification, winning both meetings, and they claimed 10 points from their other four games against Iceland and Azerbaijan.

This will be played on neutral ground but Ukraine have a strong record as the designated home team, winning four of their last six such matches, and can set up a final against either Poland or Albania by beating Sweden inside 90 minutes in Valencia.

Sweden have scored in both of Potter’s games in charge so far and can at least get on the scoresheet on Thursday, while Ukraine have scored more than once in each of their last five victories. A 3-1 win for the hosts seems a reasonable correct score prediction, potentially with a late Ukraine goal to kill the game off.

Vladyslav Vanat made five appearances without scoring in the group stages but he could end his wait for a qualification strike on Thursday. The 24-year-old has nine goals in 26 games for Girona in La Liga and comes into the play-offs in solid form with two goals and an assist across his last six games for his club.