The air conditioning inside Houston Stadium will be a salvation for both the Netherlands and Sweden, because outside the summer heat is raging.
Although Storm Arthur has receded, temperatures of up to 45°C are still expected in the Houston area this weekend – making it tough for fans to move outside. Local authorities have advised people to stay indoors, and FIFA’s planned Fan Zone may be cancelled. Fortunately, for the players, there is no worry on match day – the indoor temperature can be regulated.
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Sweden is chasing another big win – the Netherlands need points
Sweden comes into the game with enormous confidence after the 5-1 win over Tunisia in Monterrey. Leeds full-back Gabriel Gudmundsson talks about good continuity:
“We have had the same routine here as in Mexico. There is air conditioning in the stadium, as far as I understand. It will probably be a slightly different game, maybe with more energy than last time in Monterrey.”
Alexander Isak was the big star against Tunisia. The Liverpool striker, who recently returned from an injury-plagued season, recorded one goal and two assists. Defense attorney Victor Lindelöf is full of praise:
“I have a lot of respect for him as a player, and I have high expectations – no less than what you should have from a player with his qualities. People wondered if he was fit before the World Cup. He showed that today,” Lindelöf told FIFA.com.
Sweden is very well placed to advance. The same cannot be said for the Netherlands, who only managed a 2-2 draw against Japan in their opening match.
“We need to score more goals,” Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo says honestly. “There are several things we can improve. Every match is different. Against Japan we faced a low defensive block, in other games we have to be better in the transition game. Against Sweden, it could be a completely different type of game.”
Team news: Both teams injury-free
The Netherlands have no major injury problems. Jan Paul van Hecke has been declared fit after suffering a black eye against Japan. Sweden also has a full squad, and Isak shows no signs of wear and tear after the Tunisia match.
A collision stops Quinten Timber from the Sweden match.
Now it has been revealed that Dutch star Frenkie de Jong is also a question mark due to the collision.
“We’ll see how he reacts,” said national team manager Ronald Koeman at the pre-match press conference.
Predicted line-ups
Netherlands (XI): Verbruggen – Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Ven – De Jong, Reijnders, Gravenberch – Summerville, Malen, Gakpo
Sweden (XI): Nordfeldt – Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelöf – Bernhardsson, Nygren, Karlström, Ayari, Gudmundsson – Isak, Gyökeres
How to watch Netherlands vs Sweden: TV and live stream
Kick-off on Saturday is at 18:00 UK time (19:00 Norwegian time). In the UK, the match will be broadcast live on BBC One. Streaming is available via the BBC iPlayer app and the BBC Sport website.
Key figures before the match
- The Netherlands have not lost a World Cup match in regulation time in their last 13 matches – the longest streak in the tournament’s history, shared with Brazil between 1958 and 1966. The last time they lost in regulation time was in the 2010 World Cup final against Spain.
- Sweden’s five goals against Tunisia have already matched the number from the entire group stage in 2018. Only once before – in 1994 with six goals – has Sweden scored more in the group stage.
- Sweden has only won one of their last seven games against the Netherlands.
Our match favorite: Splitting the pot
A draw would be a good result for Sweden, while the Netherlands are unlikely to go for victory at any cost – they still have Tunisia left in the group stage. The logical thing therefore seems to be the division of points.
Tip: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden
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