The top two teams in Group B square off for the automatic qualifying berth to the 2022 FIFA World Cup when Spain hosts Sweden on Sunday. Spain (5-1-1) pulled out a 1-0 victory against Greece on Thursday and is on a strong run that includes appearances in the Euro 2020 semifinals and Nations League final. Sweden (5-0-2) comes in off a stunning 2-0 loss to Georgia on Thursday but won the last meeting between these teams. Sweden pulled off a thrilling 2-1 win against the Spaniards in Stockholm in September, a victory that ended Spain’s 66-game unbeaten run in World Cup Qualifying.
Kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists Spain as the -300 favorite (risk $300 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest Spain vs. Sweden odds, with Sweden the +700 underdog. A draw is priced at +300 and the over-under for total goals scored is set at 2.5. Before you lock in your Sweden vs. Spain picks, you have to see what proven soccer insider Martin Green has to say.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since then, his European soccer picks have been spot-on. Green has generated well over $36,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season, and he has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Now, Green has taken a close look at the Spain vs. Sweden matchup and released his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see Green’s picks. Here are the betting lines and trends for Sweden vs. Spain:
- Spain vs. Sweden: Spain -1.5 (+110)
- Spain vs. Sweden over-under: 2.5 goals
- Spain vs. Sweden money line: Spain -300, Sweden +700, Draw +300
- ESP: Spain is 6-2-2 in its past 10, with a 23-9 advantage in goals
- SWE: Sweden is 6-1-3 in its past 10, outscoring its opponents 15-8
Why you should back Spain
The Spaniards’ approach is to dominate possession, which gives opponents few scoring opportunities. It worked like a charm Thursday, as Greece had just one shot on target. Spain has some stars out with injuries and hasn’t converted the possession into goals as often as expected. Pablo Sarabia converted a penalty kick Thursday and is part of a potentially dangerous attack that features Sergio Busquets, Dani Olmo and Pablo Fornals. Alvaro Morata is likely to lead the front line, and he has double-digit goals in his last four full club seasons.
Spain had been unbeaten in five straight against the Swedes before the September loss. It held 86 percent possession when the teams met at the Euros in June, a scoreless draw, and it held possession for 75 percent in the qualifying loss in September. Spain has clean sheets in its past three qualifiers and has scored seven goals in that span, including a 4-0 win against Georgia. It has at least one goal in all 11 games since the draw with Sweden in June.
Why you should back Sweden
The Swedes are eager to rebound from the shocking loss and will be desperate to avoid going to a qualifying playoff. Sweden has the confidence it can compete with Spain after the past two results, allowing one goal in the two matches. Sweden’s attack features the dangerous trio of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexander Isak and Emil Forsberg. Ibrahimoc, 40, was one of the world’s best strikers for years, but he retired from international competition five years ago before returning in 2021. He has 62 goals in 119 international matches and 368 club goals in his career.
Forsberg has six goals in 13 international matches this season, and Isak, 22, has three goals and two three assists in 16 games. The Swedes had scored at least once in eight games since their draw with Spain until being tripped up Thursday. They held the ball for 60 percent of the match with Georgia and had 20 shots, eight of them on target, but could not cash in.
How to make Sweden vs. Spain picks
Green has analyzed Spain vs. Sweden from every angle, and he is leaning over on the goal total. He also has three confident best bets and a full breakdown of the match. He’s only sharing those World Cup Qualifying picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Spain vs. Sweden? And where does all the betting value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Sweden vs. Spain, all from the European soccer expert who has generated well over $36,000 for $100 bettors over the past four seasons, and find out.