The Lowdown…
Sweden are already out of the competition with two defeats in their first two games so they have nothing to play for. France need only to avoid defeat to ensure they move on to the quarter-finals.
Match Bet…
Sweden have been in two competitive, entertaining games but lost them both. Some perspective is given when you see how comfortably France beat Ukraine and their goals against England were largely due to poor defending by Roy Hodgson’s men. Ibrahimovic has looked world class in patches across the two games but he hasn’t been the leader Sweden have needed. The team is fairly average and they’ll need their star man to be on top form if they want to have a chance of getting anything against an improving France.
Laurent Blanc’s men were the better team in both of their games but they have had some issues with their finishing. They do hold on to the ball well and with Ribery looking particularly good against the Ukraine, they’re going to create chances against a Swedish defence which has conceded five goals in two games.
Barring a night of disastrous finishing from France, Laurent Blanc’s men should move on to the quarter-finals with a comfortable win at 8/13.
A correct score stab in the dark…
With Sweden’s leaky defence and France’s diverse attacking options there should be some goals in this game. Sweden will provide a threat on the counter attack and from set-pieces so Les Bleus may not maintain a clean sheet. 3-1 to France at 12/1.
A goalscorer bet to look for…
With Sweden having nothing to play for, Zlatan Ibrahimovic can focus on what’s really important. Enhancing the eternal glory of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He has looked good in both games so far, he came close on more than one occasion against England and scored against Ukraine. With France such strong favourites in the match betting, Ibra can be backed at 8/1 to score first and 4/1 to score anytime.
Something a bit random…
Sweden have nothing to lose so could start positively. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them nabbing the first goal either. Of course having nothing to lose also means having nothing to play for so France should be able to recover and pick up the win any way. France to come from behind and win at 8/1.
