Romania vs Sweden Predictions
Romania and Sweden meet at the National Arena on Monday, with the hosts looking to respond to a heavy defeat in Poland.
Gheorghe Hagi's side have struggled badly in the past week, and another defeat looks likely in Bucharest.
With the Swedes still vulnerable in defence, I have my stakes on BTTS, and an away victory.
Sweden Can Add to Romanian Problems
- Romania lost 5 of their last 7 matches
- Romania conceded 2+ goals in 4 of their last 6 matches
- Romania have seen BTTS in 8 of their last 12 matches
- Sweden won 6 of their last 8 matches (Nations League)
- Sweden scored an average of 2.0 goals per game in their last 11 matches
- Sweden conceded 1+ goals in their last 18 matches
Sweden Edge Recent H2H Record
Romania and Sweden have met in three competitive fixtures since 2019. Sweden won all three games, including a 2-1 victory in Solna ten days ago.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring before Dennis Man equalised for Romania. Viktor Gyokeres' goal secured the spoils for the Swedes.
Romania Reeling After Warsaw Humiliation
Romania return to Bucharest after a humiliating 6-0 defeat against Poland in Warsaw on Friday.
Radu Dragusin's first-half red card for a professional foul set the tone for a dismal Romanian showing. Robert Lewandowski converted the resulting penalty before completing his hat-trick in the second half.
Piotr Zielinski and Jan Bednarek were also on target as Hagi's ten men fell apart in the second half.
Final match stats reflected Poland's dominance. The hosts registered 24 shots and an xG of 3.47, while Romania's ten attempts yielded just 0.45 xG.
Romania's recent problems began before the trip to Warsaw. They opened their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 loss in Sweden before a dreadful home reversal against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Hagi's out-of-form side conceded at least two goals in all three group fixtures, leaving them bottom of Group B4 without a point.
Romania have won only one of their last seven internationals, a 2-1 friendly success against Wales in June.
Sweden Remain Unbeaten After Bosnia Draw
Sweden make the trip to Bucharest after a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Friday.
Viktor Gyokeres put Potter's side ahead after an hour, but Kerim Alajbegovic rescued a point with an 80th-minute equaliser.
The Swedes had the better of a tight contest in Zenica. They restricted Bosnia to just four shots and an xG of 0.11. Potter's men created three clear-cut chances but could not find a winner despite an xG of 0.96.
Before the draw in Bosnia, Sweden began their Nations League campaign in fine form with back-to-back home wins against Romania (2-1) and Poland (3-1).
Despite their improved form, clean sheets have been elusive. The Yellow and Blue have conceded at least one goal in 18 successive fixtures since June 2025.
While defensive issues remain a concern, the visitors have improved in the forward areas. Sweden scored 21 goals in their last nine competitive fixtures.
Romania vs Sweden Squads & Team News
Romania Squad
Goalkeepers: Ionut Radu, Otto Hindrich, Valentin Cojocaru
Defenders: Andrei Ratiu, Andrei Coubis, Nicusor Bancu, Andrei Borza, Bogdan Racovitan, Tony Strata, Andrei Burca, Lisav Eissat, Raul Oprut, Matei Ilie
Midfielders: Marius Marin, Alexandru Cicaldau, Nicolae Stanciu, Tudor Baluta, Razvan Marin, Catalin Cirjan, Vladimir Screciu, Vlad Dragomir, David Matei
Forwards: Florin Tanase, Valentin Mihaila, Ianis Hagi, Dennis Man, Olimpiu Morutan, Darius Olaru
Head coach Hagi will be forced into at least one change to his selection: Radu Dragusin is suspended after his dismissal against Poland.
Hagi could make further changes after Friday's defeat. Andrei Borza, Bogdan Racovitan, Marius Marin and Catalin Cirjan are among those likely to earn first-team recalls.
Sweden Squad
Goalkeepers: Noel Tornqvist, Viktor Johansson, Melker Ellborg
Defenders: Felix Beijmo, Victor Lindelof, Eric Smith, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Daniel Svensson, Ken Sema, Hampus Skoglund, Samuel Dahl, Victor Eriksson
Midfielders: Lucas Bergvall, Hugo Bolin, Williot Swedberg, Jesper Karlstrom, Sebastian Nanasi, Hugo Larsson, Alexander Bernhardsson, Besfort Zeneli
Forwards: Paulos Abraham, Viktor Gyokeres
Graham Potter has a lengthy list of absentees ahead of the trip to Bucharest.
Alexander Isak, Emil Holm and Hjalmar Ekdal have left the Sweden camp with injuries, while Elliot Stroud and Patrik Walemark have withdrawn due to illness.
Yasin Ayari, Benjamin Nygren and Gustaf Lagerbielke also missed the trip to Bosnia, and their availability for Monday remains uncertain.
Potter has since added Felix Beijmo, Samuel Dahl, Eric Smith, Hugo Bolin and Ken Sema to the squad.
The former Chelsea boss refused to dwell on his selection issues this week.
"You just have to focus on the players we have here. You'd love to live in a world where everyone is available, but that's not the world we live in."
Viktor Gyokeres is expected to lead the line after scoring in Zenica. The Arsenal forward has scored in all three Nations League fixtures.