Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
Sweden
Finland
The Four Nations Tournament continues, and in the second game of the group stage, Sweden will face Finland on Saturday, February 15, at 19:00 CET. Here’s an in-depth look at the matchup and a betting recommendation on total goals.
Sweden - Finland: Match Preview
In their opening game, Sweden faced Canada and got off to a shaky start, trailing 0-2 after the first period. They traded goals in the second period, but came out strong in the third, scoring twice to level the game. Despite their momentum, Tre Kronor missed their chances in overtime, while Canada capitalized and won 4-3. Sweden now has one point in the standings and needs a regulation-time win to stay in contention for a spot in the final.
Meanwhile, Finland had a much tougher outing against the United States. They kept the game competitive in the first two periods, trailing just 1-2 after 40 minutes. However, a nightmare start to the third period saw them concede two goals in just 11 seconds, and within three minutes, they were down 1-5. Finland ultimately lost 1-6, leaving them with zero points heading into this crucial matchup.
Given the longstanding rivalry between Sweden and Finland, this will be an emotionally charged battle. Players from both teams have already issued statements challenging each other, and both sides will approach this game as if it were a final.
Key Facts
- Finland conceded two goals in just 11 seconds in their last match.
- Sweden failed to convert power-play opportunities against Canada, just as Finland did against the USA.
- Only the top two teams after three group-stage games will advance to the Four Nations Tournament final.
Prediction
This is a pivotal game in both the standings and the intense Sweden-Finland rivalry. Expect a high-energy, physical battle with plenty of goal-scoring chances. Both teams will be desperate for a win, making for an open and aggressive game.
My betting recommendation: Over 5 total goals with odds of 1.66.
