Sweden are regular participants in major championships and have appeared in eleven World Cups. Prior to 2012, Sweden played their home games at the Rasunda Fotbollsstadion, after which they moved to their new home, the Friends Arena. The players that hold a special place in Sweden’s football history are the likes of Tomas Brolin, who captured fans imagination with a brilliant display in the 1994 World Cup, Henrik Larsson, Anders Svensson, who earned 148 caps for Sweden.

And lest we forget mentioning their highest ever goal scorer, the unimitable Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has scored over 60 international goals.

Sweden’s best result in a World Cup came in 1958 when they reached the final only to run into Brazil and their 17 year-old prodigy, Pele. They lost the entertaining final 5-2. Sweden has appeared in four World Cups after 1958, their next best performance coming in the form of a third place finish in 1994 when, led by forwards Tomas Brolin and Martin Dahlin, as well as a young future superstar called Henrik Larsson, they reached the semi-finals and narrowly lost 1-0 to Brazil, who thwarted Sweden at the business end of a World Cup for the second time.

Sweden’s performance in 1994 was no fluke as they showed glimpses of being a threat when they hosted the European Championships in 1992 where they reached the semi-finals in their first ever appearance at the tournament. Sweden eventually lost 3-2 to Germany who went on to lose the final to Sweden’s bitter Scandinavian rivals Denmark.

The first time Sweden successfully negotiated the qualifying group stages to reach the European Championships was in 2000. They have managed to qualify for every European Championships since, recording their best finishes in 2004 and 2018, with both quarterfinal finishes—losing 2-0 to England last time around.

Best Sweden Football Team Betting Lines

Here are the odds for Sweden’s next match. There are a number of bets to choose from so study their current standings carefully and take into account who will be in the starting lineup.

 

Sweden Football Team Season Schedule

Look below to find out who Sweden plays in their upcoming games. Even though the odds may not be available in advance, you’ll have a better idea which games suit your betting strategy.

Sweden Football Team League Standings

While not amidst the so-called elite football nations, Sweden always puts up a fight and is expected to qualify for every major tournament.

Take a look below to see where they sit in the current standings. [+]

How To Win At Sweden Football Team Bets

Sweden fell to their lowest FIFA world ranking, 45, at the end of 2015, suggesting they are not a major threat to the top international sides. They will start as underdogs in the outright match betting markets against top teams.

Their results in 2015, however, reaffirmed their ability to win against weak sides. Sweden lost heavily 4-1 to eventual group winners Austria in September 2015, showing the team’s vulnerability against competent teams.

You can be sure of one thing when Sweden plays. There will be goals. Defensively not very strong, Sweden has a formidable attack led by one of the world’s best strikers, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Alexander Isak has also emerged as the top talent, just 22 years old and signing in a £63 million deal for Newcastle United. You should review the odds for both teams to score, as in eight out of 11 Sweden games in 2015 and 2016. There was only one goalless draw during this time, which came against Norway.

Andreas Isaksson, Sweden’s experienced goalkeeper, has over 128 caps.

Their defence lacks top international talent. AIK’s Mikael Lustig is the only player of any real top-class pedigree. Again, this favors the over-market.

Manchester United's young defender Victor Lindelof is the new captain of the Swedish side, with youthful hope and exuberance leading the side.

Kim Kallstrom has over 130 caps and is often considered the lynchpin in Sweden’s midfield. Sebastian Larsson supports Kallstrom and has top-level experience with Sunderland in the Premier League. Albin Ekdal is also an established midfielder who plies his trade in Serie A, Italy's top division.

Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had led the Swedish line for the past 16 years and continues to play at the highest level, playing for Milan. His supreme confidence, skill and experience makes him one of the top marksmen in world football.

A bet on Zlatan to score first is never a foolish one, especially when playing against weaker teams. Just make sure the odds are worth the wager. He is far and away Sweden’s best player, so avoid backing them if Zlatan isn’t playing.

Sweden’s starting 11 is competent enough, but that’s where the buck stops. Sweden lacks depth and if any one of Lindelof, Lustig, Kallstrom, Isak or Ibrahimovic isn’t playing you may want to re-evaluate your bets. When playing against the best teams at a major championship, the over 2.5 goals market is your best bet as Sweden possesses a flashy offense, yet can be quite porous in defense.

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