Sweden will take on Northern Ireland in an international friendly on Tuesday, 25 March with both nations looking to bring their respective breaks to an end with a victory.
Sweden suffered a shock defeat to Luxembourg on Saturday while Northern Ireland played out a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
Ahead of this week's round of international betting tips, check out our Sweden vs Northern Ireland prediction below.
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Sweden vs Northern Ireland prediction: The hosts to come up short
Key Stats
- Sweden have lost their last three international friendlies
- Northern Ireland have drawn their last two away matches.
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in five of Northern Ireland's last seven matches.
Correct score prediction: Sweden 1-1 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland have built up a habit of not losing in recent times and they won't want to break that against a Sweden team that lost to the mighty Luxembourg last time out. Yes, Sweden have more quality on the pitch but they have displayed countless times in recent years that they just can't get themselves up for friendly matches.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Sweden start as the favourites
- HOME: 10/21 (1.48) – 67.7%
- DRAW: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Sweden vs Northern Ireland odds are weighted in favour of the home team which shouldn't come as a shock given that they are ranked 43 places higher in the official Fifa World Rankings. Ladbrokes have given Sweden a 67.7% chance of winning the match while Northern Ireland have been given a 15.4% chance of victory.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A first meeting in 18 years
Tuesday night marks the first time that Sweden and Northern Ireland have played against each other since 2007 when both nations were drawn in the same group for Euro 2008 qualifying. Northern Ireland enjoyed both matches against Sweden, beating them 2-1 at Windsor Park before drawing 1-1 away from home.
Sweden preview: A performance needed
Sweden clearly aren't a side that enjoys playing meaningless matches but it's unacceptable for a team of this calibre to lose to a country the size of Luxembourg. That defeat has made this fixture feel like more than just any other friendly with the home crowd expecting an emphatic response.
Predicted lineup: Olsen (GK), Starfelt, Lindelof, Gudmundsson, Holm, Ayari, Karlstrom, Saletros, Sema, Elanga, Isak
International Match 25/03/25
W
Northern Ireland
1
Sweden
5
International Match 22/03/25
L
Luxembourg
1
Sweden
0
UEFA Nations League C 19/11/24
W
Azerbaijan
0
Sweden
6
UEFA Nations League C 16/11/24
W
Slovakia
1
Sweden
2
UEFA Nations League C 14/10/24
W
Estonia
0
Sweden
3
Northern Ireland preview: Regaining their steel
During the mid-2010s, Northern Ireland became one of the best underdog stories in international football with Michael O'Neill at the helm. Now in his second stint with the national team, O'Neill's fingerprints are beginning to show all over the team with Northern Ireland once again becoming a dogged team difficult to beat. Can they keep that up this week?
Predicted lineup: Charles (GK), Hume, McNair, Brown, Spencer, Charles, Smyth, Saville, Smyth, Bonis, Price
International Match 25/03/25
L
Sweden
5
Northern Ireland
1
International Match 21/03/25
D
Switzerland
1
Northern Ireland
1
UEFA Nations League C 18/11/24
D
Luxembourg
2
Northern Ireland
2
UEFA Nations League C 15/11/24
W
Belarus
0
Northern Ireland
2
UEFA Nations League C 15/10/24
W
Bulgaria
0
Northern Ireland
5
Player to watch: Alexander Isak
After scoring at Wembley and leading Newcastle United to Carabao Cup glory just before the international break, Alexander Isak is perhaps struggling to get himself up for a couple of international friendlies. He was poor against Luxembourg last time out so will be keen to get a goal or two on Tuesday to make up for that.