Sweden host Chile in a friendly match this weekend, with the hosts stepping up preparations for this summer’s tournaments with an encounter at the Friends Arena in Stockholm. Many are predicting a close encounter on Saturday evening, with the hosts having become a team who are extremely difficult to beat on home soil.
International Friendly – Friends Arena, Stockholm – Saturday 24th March – 17:00 UK Time
Sweden vs Chile Match Preview
Sweden and Chile face-off in a friendly match this weekend, with the hosts looking to build upon their recent World Cup playoff victory over Italy. However, with opponents Chile sitting 10th in the FIFA world rankings, it could well be a tough 90 minutes for both sides on Saturday. Meanwhile, those still unsure of who to back ahead of kick-off should be sure to check out our top betting tip below. However, let’s first take a closer look at the two teams, starting with the home side.
Sweden Team News & Form
A 1-0 home win over Italy, followed by a goalless draw in the reverse fixture, was enough to send the Scandinavian side through to this summer’s World Cup Finals, with manager Janne Andersson looking to add another impressive result to their record this weekend. The hosts may not have Zlatan Ibrahimovic to call upon anymore, however the likes of Emil Forsberg and Victor Lindelof in their playing squad. Elsewhere, former Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson could earn his 97th cap this weekend.
Chile Team News & Form
Despite having failed to qualify for the World Cup as a result of four defeats in their last five matches, Chile will be looking to bounce back with a victory in Stockholm. Head Coach Reinaldo Rueda will take charge of his first match this weekend, with the new boss looking to the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal to help inspire a victory. Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo misses out however, with the former Barcelona man having turned down the opportunity to join his team mates this week.
Sweden vs Chile Head to Head
The two nations have met just once before in the past, coming in a friendly match back in 2006. The duo played out a 1-1 draw that day, with no encounters having taken place since then. As a result, little can be read into the head-to-head record between the duo.
Sweden vs Chile Betting Odds and Predictions
Despite their status as the home team this weekend, their standing in the FIFA world rankings means that it comes as little surprise that it is Sweden who are the underdogs for victory with the majority of major online bookmakers. The European side can be backed for victory at best odds of 21/10 with bookmaker William Hill, while those looking to bet on a success for Chile can get a price of 11/8 on the same platform. Meanwhile, a draw between the two is available at odds of 21/10 with Paddy Power.
Sweden vs Chile Betting Tip
However, our top betting tip for the match is to bet on both teams scoring during the 90 minutes this weekend, with odds of 1/1 available at Ladbrokes.