Italy vs Sweden Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup Qual. UEFA

Prediction published on 10/11/2017, 18:00  by | Modified on 13/12/2017 at 03:39 in Football Predictions

Italy lost the first leg of this play-off 1-0 despite having 64 per cent of the possession in Sweden and having ten shots on target. Trouble is only one was on target and there will need to be some serious shooting practice between now and the second leg as Italy bid to avoid failing to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958. They finished second in their group behind Spain and won three and drew two of their five home ties being held by Spain and Macedonia. They only have one defeat in their last 15 home games and have never lost a home World Cup qualifier, an amazing 54 game unbeaten run going back the small matter of 83 years. Sweden have that vital lead and an away goal has to be their aim as that would leave Italy needing three goals to reach Russia. Italy have only scored more than two goals in a home World Cup qualifier once in their last eight games and Sweden are a bit of a tougher opposition than Liechtenstein. Away form is a bit of a worry for the Swedes who only beat the bottom two in their group and lost the other three conceding twice in each of those games. They have scored in seven of their last eight away games but lost four of their last six away World Cup qualifiers. Italy will be desperate to win this game and that's the tip, whether it'll be enough to get them to Russia remains to be seen particularly if Sweden can manage a goal.