Sweden v Belgium predictions: Swedes can set up semi-final with Lionesses

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Sweden v Belgium in the quarter-finals of the Women's Euros on Friday.

Where to watch

BBC Two, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Sweden -1 goal on handicap
1pt 10-11 bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

England booked their place in the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2022 with a dramatic comeback victory over Spain on Wednesday night - progressing courtesy of a extra-time stunner from Georgia Stanway - and their attention will turn to Sweden versus Belgium, with the winners facing the Lionesses next.

Sweden, World Cup semi-finalists three years ago, came into Euro 2022 as one of the nations expected to be in contention for the trophy but they have taken time to get going.

They drew their opener 1-1 with the Netherlands before a sluggish 2-1 win over Switzerland but they took it up a gear with a 5-0 clobbering of Portugal last time out.

That gave spectators a glimpse of what Sweden are capable of and, knowing a strong England team are waiting for them in the semi-finals, punters should not expect the Scandinavian side to take their foot off the pedal against Belgium.

This is the first time Belgium Women have ever made the knockout stage of a major tournament, so they can head home proud regardless of this result, but they looked shaky at the back during the group stage.

The Red Flames lost only one of their group encounters but allowed Iceland to have 23 shots, France 27 and Italy 20 and were fortunate to avoid having a heavy defeat to their name.

Against a determined Swedish group, they may not be so lucky and the best bet at Leigh Sports Village could be Sweden at -1 goal on the handicap, whereby they need to win by two or more goals for the bet to land.

That is not beyond the realms of possibility for a side who fired 27 goals in seven matches during their recent World Cup qualifying campaign and who are unbeaten inside 90 minutes in their last 33 matches, in a streak stretching back to March 2020.

In terms of players who could do the damage for Sweden, Arsenal star Stina Blackstenius scored in the win over Portugal last time out and could be worth a look in the anytime goalscorer market at 6-5.

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