Netherlands vs Sweden Preview

This game would have been a different or easier task if things had been as the Dutch men thought they would.

Sweden’s 8-0 demolition of Luxembourg means that the Netherlands will have to beat them by 7 goals to qualify for the playoff spot.

Realistically that is an almost impossible job to perform but we expect this game to be as lively as ever.

The Netherlands could realistically call it game over already but they have decided to still try to do the impossible.

They are in line to miss their second successive international competition after missing out on Euro 2016 in France.

They will be expected by the home fans to give this game their all and we will likely see goals from both sides.

Netherlands have scored 3 goals per home game on average in this qualifying series.

The swedes can top this group if they can better France’s result and that should give them added motivation to play not just to avoid losing but also to win this game.

They have been impressive so far netting more than 2 goals per game on average in this qualifying series which is the best record in their group and one of the best in the whole of Europe.

They are been led by the impressive Marcus Berg who has already netted 8 times in this series.  He scored 4 in their last game and could be the difference for them in this game.

Results of each team’s last 5 matches across all leagues and competitions

Netherlands 

LAST FIVE GAMES						DATE	COMPETITION
W	Netherlands		3-1		Bulgaria	Sep 3, 2017	World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
L	France		4-0		Netherlands	Aug 31, 2017	World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
W	Netherlands		5-0		Luxembourg	Jun 9, 2017	World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
W	Netherlands		5-0		Ivory Coast	Jun 4, 2017	International Friendly
W	Morocco		1-2		Netherlands	May 31, 2017	International Friendly

Sweden

LAST FIVE GAMES						DATE	COMPETITION
W	Belarus		0-4		Sweden	Sep 3, 2017	World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
L	Bulgaria		3-2		Sweden	Aug 31, 2017	World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
D	Norway		1-1		Sweden	Jun 13, 2017	International Friendly
W	Sweden		2-1		France	Jun 9, 2017	World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
W	Portugal		2-3		Sweden	Mar 28, 2017	International Friendly

H2H

LAST FIVE GAMES					DATE	COMPETITION
Sweden		1-1		Netherlands	Sep 6, 2016	World Cup Qualifying – UEFA
Sweden		3-2		Netherlands	Oct 11, 2011	European Championship Qualifying
Netherlands		4-1		Sweden	Oct 12, 2010	European Championship Qualifying
Netherlands		3-1		Sweden	Nov 19, 2008	International Friendly
Sweden		2-2		Netherlands	Aug 18, 2004	International Friendly