Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sweden Predictions
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sweden meet on Friday in their third UEFA Nations League Group B4 fixture.
Both nations have reason to be confident, and a competitive contest should deliver chances at both ends.
I have stakes on Bosnia to win or draw, and in both teams to score.
BTTS and Bosnia Double Chance Appeal
- Bosnia have seen BTTS in 10 of their last 12 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Bosnia are unbeaten in 9 of their last 11 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Sweden have seen BTTS in 11 of their last 12 matches
- Sweden failed to win 11 of their last 16 matches
Bosnia and Herzegovina Face Swedes for Second Time
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sweden will meet for the second time on Friday. Sweden claimed a 4-2 friendly win in their only previous encounter 16 years ago.
Bosnia Return Home After Romania Win
Bosnia return to Zenica after a well-deserved 4-2 Nations League victory against Romania in Bucharest on Monday.
Armin Gigovic and Tarik Muharemovic struck inside the opening 20 minutes before Haris Tabakovic restored the visitors' two-goal lead shortly before half-time. Ermin Mahmic added a fourth early in the second half.
Final match stats underlined Bosnia's attacking threat. Sergej Barbarez's side registered 15 shots to Romania's 13, created six big chances and finished with a higher xG total (2.59-0.95).
The Dragons were not quite as convincing defensively, conceding twice despite Romania’s significantly lower xG total.
Bosnia began their Nations League campaign with a goalless draw in Poland three days earlier. Four points from two difficult away games have put them within two of Sweden at the top of Group B4.
A tough side to beat, Bosnia lost just two of their last 11 matches. Seven of those games finished level, including five 1-1 draws.
The hosts' recent record in Zencia also offers encouragement. Bosnia beat Italy on penalties to qualify for the World Cup last March, while they have lost just one of seven previous home fixtures.
Sweden See-Off Poles
Sweden travel to Bosnia in high spirits after an entertaining 3-1 win against Poland on Monday.
Benjamin Nygren put Graham Potter's side ahead before Sebastian Szymanski levelled shortly before the interval. Yasin Ayari restored Sweden's advantage in the second half before Viktor Gyokeres sealed the points.
Both teams created plenty of chances, but the Swedes proved more ruthless in front of goal. Poland had more shots (18-12), while Sweden’s higher xG (2.11-1.19) reflected the quality of their opportunities.
Potter’s men began their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 victory against Romania in their group opener last weekend.
While the Swedes impressed in both victories, their inability to keep clean sheets remains a cause for concern. The Yellow and Blue leaked at least one goal in 19 of their last 20 international fixtures.
On the road, Potter’s men won just one of their last five away fixtures. Sweden slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Norway in their last away game in June.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sweden Squads & Team News
Bosnia and Herzegovina Squad
Goalkeepers: Mladen Jurkas, Salko Hamzic, Martin Zlomislic
Defenders: Nihad Mujakic, Arjan Malic, Tarik Muharemovic, Sead Kolasinac, Zinedin Smajlovic, Nikola Katic, Stjepan Radeljic
Midfielders: Benjamin Tahirovic, Armin Gigovic, Luka Duric, Ivan Basic, Ivan Sunjic, Amar Memic, Ermin Mahmic, Ajdin Hasic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Nail Omerovic
Forwards: Ermedin Demirovic, Jovo Lukic, Haris Tabakovic, Edin Dzeko, Samed Bazdar
Head coach Barbarez has no new injury issues this weekend.
Long-serving captain Edin Dzeko has announced that Friday's meeting with Sweden will be his final international appearance.
The 40-year-old could earn a start after missing the last two Nations League games.
Barbarez said his side’s World Cup experience had given them confidence after their emphatic victory.
“I keep saying that the journey is important. Results improve and accelerate it, but it's important to me that we have a good journey.”
“Let's see now what our first appearance at the World Championship means to us. It's a great experience; it gave us confidence, and that was evident tonight; that's the journey we want,” he said.
Sweden Squad
Goalkeepers: Noel Tornqvist, Viktor Johansson, Melker Ellborg
Defenders: Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Gabriel Gudmundsson, John Mellberg, Daniel Svensson, Hampus Skoglund, Carl Starfelt, Elliot Stroud
Midfielders: Lucas Bergvall, Williot Swedberg, Jesper Karlstrom, Yasin Ayari, Sebastian Nanasi, Hugo Larsson, Alexander Bernhardsson, Besfort Zeneli
Forwards: Paulos Abraham, Benjamin Nygren, Patrik Walemark, Viktor Gyokeres
Sweden boss Graham Potter has several injury concerns ahead of Friday’s match. Emil Holm, Alexander Isak and Hjalmar Ekdal have left the squad, with no replacements added to the pool available.
Potter remains confident in the players available, although he may reassess the squad after the game.
“We have a great squad that we believe in. Of course we want all our players available, but we have other solutions and will continue to work the way we want. If we have to make a different decision after the game, we will do so.”