Sweden W vs Italy W prediction: WORLD: World Cup Women betting tips on match 2023-07-28 07:30.
Coach Peter Gerhardsson has called on his Sweden side to iron out their errors as they look to repeat their run of four years ago when they reached the FIFA Womenâs World Cup (WWC) semi-finals. The manager believed his side made âtoo many tactical and technical mistakesâ as they narrowly avoided an upset in their opening match of the tournament, coming from behind to beat South Africa 2-1 thanks to Amanda Ilestedtâs last-gasp strike.
That result means the Blue and Yellow have lost just one of their ten group games across the last four WWC (W6, D3) tournaments, so they should still be confident of reaching the knockout stages. However, their form of late has been patchy, failing to register back-to-back victories since July 2022 and winning only four of their last ten internationals (D3, L3).
With that in mind, Italy may be seen as welcome adversaries given the nation has suffered their joint-most international defeats against Sweden, losing 15 of 23 H2Hs (W3, D5). However, Le Azzurre boast the better form of the two sides at the moment, beating Argentina 1-0 in their opening match to make it four wins from their last five outings (D1).
Barcelona prospect Giulia Dragoni – who is just 16 and nicknamed âLittle Messiâ – started that game, becoming one of the youngest players in World Cup history in the process. She should add to the belief that Milena Bertoliniâs side can improve upon their run to the quarter-finals four years ago, with the manager describing the forward as a âtalent of Italian football.â
Players to watch: Swedenâs Stina Blackstenius has staggeringly won 16 of the last 18 internationals in which sheâs netted (D1, L1). The forward may be looking to outgun Cristiana Girelli, who became Italyâs joint-leading WWC scorer when she netted her fourth career goal at the tournament against Argentina last week.
Hot stat: Italy have conceded just three first-half goals in their last 13 internationals.