Sweden vs Australia – Women’s World Cup preview: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Sweden and Australia have one more game to play, despite their respective Women’s World Cup campaigns coming to an end in the semi-finals this week.

Now, they go head to head in the third/fourth place playoff to see who will at least walk away from this tournament with the consolation of a bronze medal.

Sweden were beaten by a late Spain goal in the semis, having been frustratingly knocked out at that stage in a third World Cup out of the last four tournaments. Australia, meanwhile, had already broken new ground by going beyond the quarter-finals for the first time ever.

Sweden have beaten Australia nine times in 15 meetings and lost only twice. That being said, the most recent enounter between the teams in November 2022, played in Melbourne, was a 4-0 Australia win with goals from Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord (2) and Mary Fowler.

Sweden beat Australia twice during the most recent Olympics, once in the group stage (4-2) and once in the semi-finals (1-0). They also met in the 2015 World Cup, which was a 1-1 draw.

READ THE LATEST 2023 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP NEWS, PREVIEWS & PLAYER RATINGS

Caroline Seger has struggled for fitness at this tournament, but the 38-year-old should feature in what is likely to be her last ever World Cup game, having been at her first in 2007. Sweden otherwise have no fitness concerns.

There is no Alanna Kennedy for the Matildas, ruled out again with the concussion that she suffered in the quarter-final against France. Sam Kerr wil be expected to start just her second game of the tournament, while there could be opportunities for those who haven’t much featured so far.

The third/fourth place playoff is always a difficult one for motivation because it comes so soon after the disappointment of narrowly missing out on a place in the World Cup final.

Sweden have played in this game on three previous occasions (1991, 2011, 2019) and have won it every time. But there is a chance that Australia, having already had so much of an impact on the sport in their country, will be that bit more up for it in order to finish on a high.

Prediction: Sweden 1-3 Australia

WATCH THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FINAL PREVIEW EDITION OF 90MIN TALKS

Rachel & Sophie from Girls On The Ball chat with Alex Ibaceta for this extra special episode of 90min Talks, discussing the semi-finals which saw The Lionesses beat hosts Australia and look ahead at the historic World Cup final.

If you can’t see this embed, click here for the full video.