Will Sweden retain top spot in Group B?
Nearly four weeks ago, the first tickets for the controversial 2022 World Cup in Qatar were awarded in Europe. The last qualifying matches are now on the agenda in the November double-header. In some groups, excitement is still guaranteed, for example in Group B. On the last matchday, the two leaders will face each other, but first they have to fulfil their duties. The leader has to play away from home, on Thursday evening Georgia and Sweden will face each other in Batumi.
The “Tre Konor” from the far north of Europe are actually first in this group of five before the last two games. Nevertheless, the direct World Cup ticket will be a difficult task for the team of head coach Janne Andersson. A win over Georgia is a must, against Spain on Sunday the free skate should follow.
With a win in Georgia, the Swedes would definitely maintain their two-point lead and thus put themselves in a very good starting position. The home side are understandably considered the clear underdogs, so betting odds of less than 1.50 on the visitors to win in Georgia against Sweden are not really surprising. The match kicks off on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Georgia – Statistics & current form
Foreign coaches have been with Georgia for many years. With Klaus Toppmöller, a German was also head coach at times. Alain Giresse, Hector Cuper or Vladimir Weiss join the list of well-known names, but since February this year, Georgia has a former World Cup winner as head coach – Willy Sagnol. For the former Bayern player, it is his first job since becoming co-coach under Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern (2017).
Disappointing qualification
Despite the ringing name, successful qualification was never an issue, of course, but the results under Willy Sagnol certainly do not satisfy those in charge. In recent months, the number 93 in the FIFA world rankings played ten international matches and suffered no fewer than seven defeats.
Georgia were bottom of Group B in qualifying for a long time before finally achieving the first compulsory win of the Sagnol era in their last international match. Georgia won 2-1 away to Kosovo and are now ahead of the Kosovars thanks to their superior goal difference.
Weak offence – seven goals in ten games
While Willy Sagnol has virtually an all-legionnaire team at his disposal in Georgia, the quality in the squad is nevertheless extremely manageable. By far the most valuable player is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Rubin Kazan. The 20-year-old winger is the focus of Borussia Mönchengladbach and, with three goals and two assists in ten international matches, has become the player with the most goals.
Scoreless, however, is an attribute that the Georgia national team does not necessarily embody. In the ten international matches in 2021, only a meagre seven goals were scored. Against the experienced guests from the far north, even a single goal would be a small success. However, this is not to be expected and therefore a prediction of an away win without conceding and “Both teams score? No” is a definite possibility.
Predicted line-up of Georgia:
Loria – Kashia, Dvali, Kakabadze – Giorbelidze, Gvilia, Kvekveskiri, Lobjanidze – Kvaratskhelia, Okriashvili, Tsitaishvili
Last matches played by Georgia:
World Cup Qualification UEFA 1st Round Grp. B
10/12 2021 – Kosovo 1 – 2 Georgia
10/09 2021 – Georgia 0 – 2 Greece
Friendly match
09/08 2021 – Bulgaria 4 – 1 Georgia
World Cup Qualification UEFA 1st Round Grp. B
09/05 2021 – Spain 4 – 0 Georgia
09/02 2021 – Georgia 0 – 1 Kosovo
Sweden – Statistics & current form
In contrast to a European Championship qualifier, qualifying for a World Cup proves to be much more difficult. The example of Sweden is a good illustration of this, as the Tre Konor have been in European Championships consistently since 2000, but in World Cups this has only been the case in three of the last six stagings
Famose year 2021
The direct World Cup ticket for the upcoming finals is in Sweden’s own hands, four points from the last two games are definitely enough to upset the big group favourites. Janne Andersson’s team has already achieved this twice this calendar year. At the European Championship, they fought out a goalless draw, and in the current qualifiers they even managed a 2-1 victory.
In general, the year so far has been extraordinarily successful for the Swedes. The away match in Georgia will already be the 16th international match in 2021. The 2021 record so far is absolutely outstanding with eleven wins, one draw and two defeats.
Ibrahimovic facing comeback
For the two decisive games this year, Sweden can once again count on their great superstar. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will, in all likelihood, play his 119th international match in Georgia. When he made his debut in 2001, the youngest player in the squad (Juve player Dejan Kulusevski) was just seven months old.
Despite his advanced age, Ibrahimovic continues to show his enormous importance game after game and provides an absolute winning gene with his mentality. “Ibrakadabra” will provide the necessary self-confidence and lead the Swedes to victory. There is almost no doubt that a bet on the favourite in Georgia against Sweden could fail. The difference in quality is enormous and the starting position is clear.
Predicted line-up of Sweden:
Olsen – Augustinsson, Danielson, Lindelöf, Krafth – Claesson, Olsson, Ekdal, Forsberg – Isak, Ibrahimovic
Last matches played by Sweden:
World Cup Qualification UEFA 1st Round Grp. B
10/12 2021 – Sweden 2 – 0 Greece
10/09 2021 – Sweden 3 – 0 Kosovo
09/08 2021 – Greece 2 – 1 Sweden
Friendly match
09/05 2021 – Sweden 2 – 1 Uzbekistan
World Cup Qualification UEFA 1st Round Grp. B
09/02 2021 – Sweden 2 – 1 Spain
Georgia – Sweden Direct comparison / H2H-Balance
In fact, the first leg in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers was a first as Georgia and Sweden faced each other in a football match for the first time. In the Friends Arena in Solna, the heavy favourites from Sweden narrowly won 1:0. The only goal of the day was scored by Victor Claesson in minute 35.
Georgia – Sweden tip
A clear difference in class can often be seen in international matches. This is also true for the upcoming duel between Georgia and Sweden. In addition, the two teams have completely different motivations. For the home side, it is the last, basically meaningless game, while the visitors are still fighting for their World Cup ticket. For Sweden, the only thing that counts is victory and the favourites will probably want to set the course for that early on.
Three days later, the decisive match against the Spanish national team awaits. That’s why it’s likely to be a case of saving energy. Therefore, a bet on HT/FT 2/2 for Georgia against Sweden is also a good idea. Even more interesting, however, are the high odds on the handicap victory of the favourite. With Ibrahimovic, Isak, Forsberg & Co, Sweden will find many chances and a success with two goals difference would be no surprise. Five units are recommended for this bet
