EURO 2024 Qualifiers: Sweden vs. Belgium Preview, Odds, Predictions

Sweden hosts Belgium in the opening game of their EURO 2024 qualifiers. The venue of this interesting clash is Friends Arena in Solna, where Sweds play their international matches. Hosts have a solid generation of players, but it failed to reach the World Cup. It now wants to make up for that with another participation at the continental championship. Meanwhile, Belgium had a disastrous World Cup campaign, and the Devils are slowly losing the status of one of the best national teams on the globe. What was once the most enjoyable crew to watch, is now nothing more than a broken army. But they still have incredibly good individuals. 

Preview

Sweden (+250) didn’t lose in the past five games, with the most recent four being wins. The rivals were respectable Mexico, Algeria, Finland, and Iceland. Some might say that neither of these units is a world-class caliber, but from our perspective, all four nations are more than decent opponents. 

In all four of these contests, Blagult netted at least twice. Finishing and scoring have been problematic in the past for this nordic country, but this aspect of play looks solid now. They were in the UEFA Nations League group with Serbia, Norway, and Rusia, posting one win, one tie and four defeats. 

The biggest news this team brings is Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s comeback. It is a pity we didn’t see him at the EURO two years ago, but he could appear next year if everything goes according to plan.

Belgium (+110) was the biggest disappointment at the previous World Cup. One win, one tie, and one defeat was the Devils’ record, and what especially shocked the fans was one goal scored during 270 minutes. Lukaku wasn’t 100% healthy, yet that can’t and won’t be an alibi for what he missed. Batshuayi was ridicolous, as well.

The back line showed numerous flaws, and it seems Belgium has the biggest problems in that area. Despite De Bruyne’s massive effort, midfield was without creativity because his teammates didn’t step up to help City’s playmaker. 

Coach Tedesco decided to make certain changes, and combined with some previous factors, that is, a few retirements, Belgium begins a new chapter in its national team history.

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As said, Zlatan is back, and that will certainly be fantastic for the spirit and the morale of the nation. The all-time top goalscorer with 62 goals might improve his stats. 

Witsel, Hazard, Mertens, Mignolet, and Alderweireld aren’t on the team anymore. Some are retired, and some aren’t in Tedesco’s plans. 

Head to Head Games

These two nations met in 2016 at the EURO in France. Belgium was better with a minimal result, 0-1. Nainggolan scored the winner six minutes before the end of the regulations. Belgium was better two years earlier in a friendly international, 0-2, and at the 2000 EURO, 2-1. 

Prediction

Sweden improved its attacking abilities in the recent few months, and we can now say their offense has a solid capacity. On the other side, Belgium’s attack was horrible in Qatar, and it could not be worse than back then. Tedesco will shake up the lineup and players; therefore, we believe in some reaction. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have what to shake in the backline, which is equally poor, and all this suggests that it would be best to bet on both teams scoring. 

Pick: Both teams to score -110

Here are previews for more Euro 2024 qualifiers games:

• Italy vs. England
• France vs. Netherlands