Can van Dijk stop Isak and Gyökeres? Preview and prediction for Netherlands vs Sweden
In the second round of the 2026 World Cup group stage, the Netherlands will face Sweden. The clash is set for Saturday, June 20, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 Central European Time. I'm backing a bet on goals in this encounter.
Head-to-head and statistical facts
- Sweden have both scored and conceded in seven consecutive matches.
- In the past two years, Sweden have kept a clean sheet only once.
- The Netherlands have won just one of their last four matches.
- The teams have met 20 times: 8 wins for the Oranje, 7 for Sweden, and 5 draws.
- At the 1974 World Cup, the teams played out a goalless draw—0:0.
No room for error
The Netherlands entered the World Cup as one of Europe's strongest sides. Ronald Koeman's team cruised through qualification, but their pre-tournament friendlies were marked by inconsistency.
The Oranje, true to tradition, focus on possession, high intensity, and rapid wing attacks. Their forward line has looked especially sharp, consistently creating a wealth of scoring opportunities.
However, their World Cup start was far from ideal. The team failed to capitalize on their superior quality and had to settle for a draw against Japan. The defense also left much to be desired, allowing several dangerous chances and ultimately conceding twice.
The key figures for the Dutch remain Gakpo, Malen, and Depay, but none of them were involved in the goals in the opener. The draw was secured thanks to goals from van Dijk and Summerville, with Gravenberch providing two assists.
Riding the wave of success
Sweden were one of the pleasant surprises of the World Cup's opening round. The team delivered a confident performance and picked up a vital three points, keeping their playoff hopes very much alive. The Swedes showcased their trademark discipline, organization, and impressive work rate.
Potter's men were favorites against Tunisia, but few expected such a dominant result. The Isak and Gyökeres show led to a crushing 5-1 victory, putting Sweden in a strong position to continue their playoff push.
This is a side that plays vibrant attacking football and knows how to make the most of their chances. While their offense is firing, the defense remains a concern—it's been a long time since the Scandinavians kept a clean sheet.
For Sweden, the clash with the Netherlands will be a true test of their ambitions. Beating a modest Tunisia is one thing; matching up to the Dutch and fighting for a positive result is a different challenge altogether.
Probable lineups
- Netherlands: Verbruggen, Dumfries, van Hecke, van Dijk, van de Ven, de Jong, Gravenberch, Reijnders, Summerville, Gakpo, Malen.
- Sweden: Nordfeldt, Lindelöf, Gynn, Lagerbielke, Karlström, Nygren, Ayari, Straud, Bernhardsson, Gyökeres, Isak.
What to bet on?
The Netherlands look like the favorites thanks to their star-studded lineup and superior squad depth. However, Sweden are traditionally a tough nut to crack for top teams and can give anyone a run for their money with their discipline, physicality, and threat in front of goal. With that in mind, both teams to score looks like a solid option.
