Sweden vs Poland predictions and betting tips – Who will make World Cup?

Sweden beat Ukraine in their World Cup play-off semi-final last week, setting up this do-or-die clash with Poland, who edged out Albania in their last-four encounter.

One of these two teams will qualify for the USA, Canada and Mexico on Tuesday night. Will Sweden or Poland advance at the Nationalarenan in Solna?

• Sweden to win – evens with BoyleSports
• Sweden to score first – 3/4 with BoyleSports
• Viktor Gyokeres to score any time – 5/4 with Quinn Bet

Sweden vs Poland odds

Find the latest Sweden vs Poland betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Sweden vs Poland predictions

Sweden can count themselves a little fortunate to be one win away from World Cup 2026.

To say their qualification campaign did not go to plan would be an understatement. Sweden finished bottom of their four-team group, collecting only two points from home and away games against Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia.

However, their showing in the last edition of the Nations League earned them a reprieve. Again, though, Sweden had Lady Luck smiling on them. They did win their Nations League group last time out, but it was in League C against Slovakia, Estonia and Azerbaijan.

Still, that is how the format works and Sweden legitimately entered the World Cup qualification play-offs. And in fairness to the Blagult, they delivered one of their best performances for some time in the semis, beating Ukraine 3-1 in Valencia.

It is fair to say Viktor Gyokeres has had mixed success in his debut season as an Arsenal player, but the centre-forward shone for his country last time out.

Gyokeres stepped up when Sweden needed him most, notching an impressive hat-trick to send his side through to the play-off final.

Graham Potter, who recently turned his interim deal as Sweden head coach into a permanent one, could ensure England have managerial representation at this summer’s tournament.

If Sweden do get over the line, Potter would follow in the footsteps of George Kimpton (France, 1934), Bob Glendenning (Netherlands, 1934 and 1938), Jack Butler (Belgium, 1938), George Raynor (Sweden, 1950 and 1958), John Adshead (New Zealand, 1982), Tony Waiters (Canada, 1986), Jack Charlton (Republic of Ireland, 1990 and 1994), Roy Hodgson (Switzerland, 1994) and John Herdman (Canada, 2022) in being an English coach in charge of another national team at the World Cup finals.

Poland stand in Sweden’s way. They finished second in their qualification group, three points behind the Netherlands and seven ahead of Sweden.

Poland went 1-0 down at home to Albania in their play-off semi-final last week, but they rallied in the second half to run out 2-1 winners in front of their own fans.

Poland were present in both 2018 and 2022, and they are now fighting to make it three World Cups in a row for the first time since they appeared at four consecutive competitions in the 1970s and 1980s, the country’s golden era.

Sweden vs Poland betting tips

Sweden face Poland in a winner-takes-all World Cup play-off – who will qualify?

Sweden to edge it

It does feel somewhat unfair that one team has home advantage over the other in these one-legged play-off finals, especially as the home side was chosen at random.

Playing in front of your own supporters is a huge benefit, especially when the stakes are so high.

Sweden and Poland are evenly matched teams overall, so having the game in your own country is the sort of factor that could easily swing the tie in your favour.

We anticipate a tight game with little between the two teams, but Sweden can build on their confident display against Ukraine by beating Poland on Tuesday.

Back Sweden to win at evens with BoyleSports

Sweden to strike first

With goals likely to be at a premium in this do-or-die contest, opening the scoring would be invaluable.

Poland started slowly against Albania last time out and have long had a tendency towards cautious football.

Their first priority on Tuesday will be to keep things tight at the back, but if they invite Sweden onto them, Poland could be in trouble.

We like the chances of Potter’s men drawing first blood at the Nationalarenan in Solna.

Choose Sweden to score first at 3/4 with BoyleSports

Gyokeres can build on treble

“[Gyokeres] showed his quality, why he plays for Arsenal and why he is one of the best strikers in Europe,” Ukraine boss Serhiy Rebrov said of Sweden’s hat-trick hero last Thursday.

In the short term at least, perhaps it helps Potter that Alexander Isak is currently unavailable.

Of course, Sweden would love to have Isak back for the World Cup should they make it, but it is not easy to fit the Arsenal and Liverpool strikers into the same team.

Gyokeres has the jersey for now and he will be determined to make his mark on this play-off final.

With his confidence high following that treble last time out, Gyokeres can strike again. At the odds available, he looks like excellent value in the anytime scorer market.

Go for Viktor Gyokeres to score any time at 5/4 with Quinn Bet

Sweden vs Poland predicted lineups

• Sweden expected lineup: Nordfeldt; Lagerbielke, Starfelt, Lindelof; Johansson, Karlstrom, Ayari, Svensson; Elanga, Nygren; Gyokeres.
• Poland expected lineup: Grabara; Kedziora, Bednarek, Kiwior; Cash, Slisz, Zielinski, Skoras; Szymanski, Zalewski; Lewandowski.

Where to watch Sweden vs Poland

• Location: Nationalarenan, Solna, Sweden.
• Date and time: Tuesday 31st March, 7.45pm.
• How to watch: Amazon Prime PPV.

More World Cup predictions

We have plenty more World Cup predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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