Sweden - Slovenia: Prediction, bets, facts and H2H - 20 May 2026
Sweden
Slovenia
In the group stage of the 2026 World Championship, Sweden and Slovenia will face off on Wednesday, 20 May, with puck drop scheduled for 20:20 CET. I am offering a bet on this matchup.
Sweden - Slovenia: Match preview
Sweden have brought several NHL players to the tournament and are considered among the favourites to win the World Championship title, but their start to the campaign has been far from convincing. In their opening game, they lost 5:3 to a remarkably strong Canada men's national ice hockey team side.
That was followed by a dominant 6:2 victory over Denmark, but in their third game they suffered another defeat. Tre Kronor came up against the Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team and fell 4:3. As a result, Sweden have just three points from three matches and currently sit fifth in the standings.
There is no reason to panic yet in the race for a playoff spot, with four games still to play, but they need to start winning now to avoid unnecessary tension at the end of the group stage.
Slovenia did not bring a single NHL player to this tournament and currently find themselves in a very difficult position. They are trying to stay in the playoff race, though it will be extremely difficult.
In their opening match, they sensationally defeated the Czech Republic 3:2 in overtime, but then suffered a heavy 4:0 loss to Norway. In the third round of the group stage, they fell 5:4 to Slovakia in a shootout. That leaves them with three points from three matches, level with Sweden.
However, Slovenia do not have NHL talent at their disposal, and the overall quality of their roster is not on the same level as their direct rivals. As things stand, they will most likely secure their place in the elite division, but fighting for a playoff spot will be a huge challenge.
Match facts and H2H
- Sweden have lost three of their last four matches.
- Sweden have scored at least three goals in each of their last three matches.
- Slovenia have recorded two wins and two defeats in their last four games.
- In the last head-to-head meeting, Sweden crushed Slovenia 4:0.
Prediction
Slovenia have shown some solid hockey at this tournament, but I believe Sweden will edge this one. It will not come easily, however. I am offering a bet on both teams to score in this game.
