The air conditioning inside the Houston Stadium will be a Godsend for the Netherlands and Sweden with blistering temperatures forecast for tomorrow.
Although the threat of Storm Arthur has dissipated, it is expected to be 45C in the Houston area over the weekend, making it difficult for the fans of both sides to get out and about.
People have been advised to stay indoors, according to the local weather agency, while FIFA’s planned Fan Zone could be scrapped.
Luckily for the players, there will be no concerns on matchday as the temperature inside the stadium can be controlled.
Sweden will be looking to build on their 5-1 win over Tunisia in Monterrey.
Leeds left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson said:”We have had the same routine here as we did in Mexico. Then it’s AC from what I understand. It’s clear that it will be a slightly different match and maybe a little more energy than it was last time in Monterrey.”
Alexander Isak was one of the stars of the Tunisia victory, the Liverpool striker overcoming a season of injury problems to score once and create another two.
“I have huge admiration for him as a player and I have high expectations of him as well,” defender Victor Lindelof told FIFA.com. I expect nothing less from a player like him.
“People were questioning whether he was in good shape or in form before the World Cup and I think he showed it today with his performance.”
While Sweden are looking likely to qualify for the knockout stages, the same cannot be said for the Netherlands, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan.
“We need to score more goals,” said Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. “There are several things that can be improved. Every game is different. Against Japan we were against a low block, in another game it should be better in the transition. It could be the same type of match against Sweden.”
Team news for Netherlands v Sweden
Netherlands have no injury worries with Jan Paul van Hecke passed fit after suffering a black eye in the game against Japan.
Sweden are also injury free with Isak showing no ill-effects from his performance against Tunisia.
Predicted line-ups for Netherlands v Sweden
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Ven; De Jong, Reijnders, Gravenberch; Summerville, Malen, Gakpo
Sweden: Nordfeldt; Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelof; Bernhardsson, Nygren, Karlstrom, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Isak, Gyokeres
Where to watch Netherlands v Sweden: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Saturday is at 6pm UK time. In the UK, live coverage is on BBC One.
Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.
Stats for Netherlands v Sweden
- The Netherlands have not lost any of the last 13 World Cup games (in normal time) – that’s the joint-longest unbeaten run by any team in the tournament’s history, along with Brazil between 1958 and 1966.
- Their last defeat in normal time came in the 2010 World Cup final against Spain
- Sweden’s five goals against Tunisia in their opener has already equalled their tally from the entire group stage at the 2018 World Cup, and they’ve only netted more group-stage goals in one of their previous six editions of the tournament (six in 1994).
- Sweden have won one of their last seven meetings with the Netherlands
Prediction for Netherlands v Sweden
A draw would be a good result for Sweden while the Dutch won’t go all out for the win knowing they have pool whipping boys Tunisia still to come.
A draw seems the logical outcome.
Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden
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