19:45 Tuesday

Poland vs Sweden Stats

  • Poland have lost just four times in 30 at home
  • Sweden have won just once in the last nine on the road
  • The referee averages six yellow cards in his last six internationals.

 

Poland vs Sweden Preview

It’s a winner takes all tussle from Chorzów as both nations look to secure their passage to the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Russia’s sporting ban resulted in the Poles receiving a bye in the semi-final and they welcome a Swedish team who edged out a resilient Czech Republic 1-0 after extra time last week in Solna.

It’s a tricky match to decipher; although 17th ranked Sweden are 24 places above Poland in the FIFA rankings, the bookies are siding with the home side to progress and it’s that home advantage in front of 55,000 fans that could make all the difference.

When you add into the mix Sweden are poor travellers having won just one of their last nine matches on the road (L7 D1 W1), it’s understandable that Poland are favourites to reach the finals.

The hosts don’t lose many matches at home (just four defeats in their last 30); however, their record against Sweden is poor. You have to go back to 1991 (nine meetings ago) to find their last win against Sweden (L7 D1 since then).

Poland vs Sweden Tips

Betting Tip: Sweden Most Cards & Albin Ekdal to receive a card

I see this being a cagey affair and given what’s at stake, it could pay to side with cards.

Sweden have been shown 2+ cards in six of their nine WC qualifiers, including three last week against the Czech Republic. Poland, themselves, aren’t shy of a card either having picked up 2+ cards in seven of their 10 qualifiers.

Italian whistler Daniele Orsato takes charge of this and he’s more than happy to dish out the cards having shown 30 yellows and two reds in his last six international matches.