Netherlands vs Sweden prediction: Netherlands 2-1 Sweden
Will it be the European Champions or the former World Cup runners-up who makes it through to the final?
Netherlands were crowned European Champions on home soil two years ago and are in with a chance of adding World Cup glory come Sunday.
Sweden meanwhile have upset the odds to get to this semi-final and will feel confident of getting through.
This is a very tough one to call.
Highlights of Italy 0-2 Netherlands
Highlights of Germany 1-2 Sweden
Netherlands vs Sweden : Who will win?
Netherlands are 13/10 to win this match in 90 minutes.
Sweden are 21/10 to win in normal time.
A draw, which would force extra time, is also 21/10.
Over 2.5 goals is 6.5
Netherlands to win and over 2.5 goals is 3/1.
Sweden to win and over 2.5 goals is 9/2.
Either team to win a penalty shootout is 5/1.
Netherlands to make the final is 4/6; Sweden are 11/10 to progress.
That finish by @VivianneMiedema tho 👌#ITANED 🇮🇹🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/R4LzhESs7I
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 29, 2019
Vivianne Miedema became Holland’s record goalscorer during this tournament. The Arsenal forward is 15/4 to score first and 13/10 to score anytime.
Shanice van de Sanden has also been a threat. She is 15/2 to score first and 11/4 to score anytime.
Kosovare Asllani is the top scorer in the Sweden squad with 32 international goals. She is 8/1 to score first and 3/1 to net anytime.
Netherlands vs Sweden: Match preview
Two years ago, Oranje shocked everybody by winning the 2017 UEFA Women’s Championship.
They beat Sweden in the quarter-finals of that tournament before seeing off England and then Denmark in the final in Enschede.
Can Sarina Wiegman’s side upset the odds again?
In qualifying, the Leeuwinnen finished second in their group so had to beat Denmark and then Switzerland in two-legged play-offs.
Since getting to France, they’ve been almost flawless.
They won their first two group matches, against New Zealand and Cameroon, to book their place in the knockout phase.
That meant they needed just a draw against Canada in Reims to win the group but went one better, winning 2-1.
That set up a round of 16 clash with Japan at Roazhon Park.
Lieke Martens gave them an early lead but Yui Hasegawa equalised on the stroke of half time.
Japan dominated the second half but, in the very last minute, a handball meant Holland had a penalty.
Martens cooly slotted home a dramatic winner.
Their victory over Italy in Saturday’s quarter-final was more straight forward.
It did take them until the 70th minute to make the breakthrough but it was worth the wait.
Vivianne Miedema’s brilliant header beating the goalkeeper.
Late on, Stefanie van der Gragt got her first World Cup goal to send Holland through to the semi-finals for the very first time.
Seven of Holland’s nine goals at the 2019 Women’s World Cup have come in the second half, something for Sweden to be wary of.
Will they have too much for Sweden?
Your #FIFAWWC semi-finals:
We’ll see you in Lyon! #DareToShine pic.twitter.com/rb7XbR03CP
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 29, 2019
Will Sweden make it back to the final 16 years on?
As for Blågult, not many expected them to make it to the semi-finals.
The comfortably qualified from Group F, beating Chile 2-0 and Thailand 5-1.
However, they had to settle for second place after losing 2-0 to the United Statues of America.
That meant they were given a tricky tie in the round of 16; Canada in Paris.
It was a tight game to say the least but Stina Blackstenius broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second half.
That was the first shot on target from either side.
However, late on, Canada were awarded a penalty but goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl made an outstanding save to send her side through.
In Saturday’s quarter-final, they were big underdogs against two time World Champions Germany.
They looked in trouble when Lina Magull put Die Nationalelf in front.
All 11 knockout ties had been won by the team scoring first so Sweden needed to change all that.
They were not behind long, just six minutes in fact.
Sofia Jakobsson equalised, finishing smartly after a long pass by Nilla Fischer.
Then, just after half time, Stina Blackstenius scrambled in after Fridolina Rolfö’s header was parried.
Germany appeared to run out of ideas and Peter Gerhardsson’s side held on for a famous win.
They’ve had eight different goal-scorers at this competition; their largest spread of scorers at a single edition of the World Cup.
It really is a team effort for Sweden but can they get the better of Netherlands?
Netherlands team news vs Sweden
A first-ever #FIFAWWC semi-final appearance for @oranjevrouwen! #ITANED 🇮🇹🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/4qEAtN974s
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 29, 2019
Sarina Wiegman is expected to name the same starting XI for the fourth game running.
In fact, nine of this side have started all of Netherlands’ games at this tournament.
Sari van Veenendaal will once again be in goal.
She is currently without a club after leaving Arsenal but, after her performances at this tournament, there will be no shortage of takers.
In defence, Kika van Es and Anouk Dekker started the first two games at left-back and centre-back respectively.
However, Merel van Dongen and Stefanie van der Gragt came in for them for the Canada game and it’s been the same back four ever since.
Dominique Bloodworth of Wolfsburg and Freiburg’s Desiree van Lunteren make up the defence.
The rest of the team has been the same throughout the competition.
Sherida Spitse and Jackie Groenen anchor the midfield behind Arsenal’s Daniëlle van de Donk.
Spitse has provided more assists than any other Netherlands player in Women’s World Cup history (4), all of which have come via set-pieces.
Jill Roord, who’s just left Bayern München for Arsenal, can not get into the team at the moment, emphasising the strength they have in midfield.
Up front, not many sides can boast a better front three.
Wingers Shanice van de Sanden and Lieke Martens have 17 and 44 international goals respectively.
However, no one has more goals for Oranje than Vivianne Miedema.
She was the top scorer in the WSL last season, with 22, helping Arsenal win the title.
Then, in the Cameroon group game, she became Holland’s all time leading scorer with 60 despite only being 22 years old.
This is certainly a strong side but will it be too strong for Sweden?
Sweden team news vs Netherlands
💙💙💛💛💙💙💙💙💙💙
💙💙💛💛💙💙💙💙💙💙
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
💙💙💛💛💙💙💙💙💙💙
💙💙💛💛💙💙💙💙💙💙#SWE #DareToShine pic.twitter.com/QPhbC4wRgQ— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 29, 2019
As for Sweden, they’re expected to name the same side that took on Chile, Canada and Germany.
Peter Gerhardsson did rotate for the meetings with USA and Thailand but, apart from that, it’s been the same XI.
Hedvig Lindahl, now 36 years old, will win her 164th cap in goal.
It’s a very settled defence including Linda Sembrant of Montpellier who has 115 caps to her name.
Their midfield also never changes.
Kosovare Asllani of Linköpings is their main creative outlet.
Captain Caroline Seger of Rosengård and Elin Rubensson will provide the more defensive cover.
Serger is on the verge of becoming the second Swede to reach 200 caps and is chasing Therese Sjögran’s record of 214.
Up front, Stina Blackstenius is their main goal threat.
She has become the second Sweden player to score in consecutive knockout appearances at the Women’s World Cup.
Will this side knock out the European champions and make the final?
Predicted Netherlands line-up vs Sweden
Predicted Netherlands line-up vs Sweden.
Predicted Sweden line-up vs Netherlands
Predicted Sweden line-up vs Netherlands
Highlights of New Zealand 0-1 Netherlands
Highlights of Netherlands 3-1 Cameroon
Highlights of Netherlands 2-1 Canada
Highlights of Netherlands 2-1 Japan
Highlights of Chile 0-2 Sweden
Highlights of Sweden 5-1 Thailand
Highlights of Sweden 0-2 United States of America
Highlights of Sweden 1-0 Canada
The latest tweets from Netherlands pre Sweden
Onze tegenstander is bekend! Op woensdag spelen we de halve finale tegen Zweden. #OnzeJacht #NEDSWE pic.twitter.com/uiNMMvV29v
— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) June 29, 2019
Afgelopen! De halve finale én de Olympische Spelen zijn binnen!#OnzeJacht pic.twitter.com/7dXuJB4wyv
— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) June 29, 2019
It’s looking like it could be a famous day in Dutch women’s football history…#ITANED 🇮🇹🇳🇱 #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/uM03pcoJfA
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 29, 2019
#NED #NED #NED #ITANED | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/ftNXYbUxGm
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 29, 2019
The latest tweets from Sweden pre Netherlands
IGÅR 💛💙#viärsverige #fifawwc pic.twitter.com/TWeolIy5tH
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) June 30, 2019
What a start to the second half from @svenskfotboll! #GERSWE 🇩🇪🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/N8pUZJ6gqg
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 29, 2019
All odds mentioned in this article are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
