After losing their respective semi-final matches, Sweden Women and Australia Women will battle it out for third place at the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Saturday morning (09.00) at the Suncorp Stadium.
The Swedes suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals after Olga Carmona fired in a 90th-minute winner.
Australia then lost 3-1 to England in Sydney the following day, leaving these teams to fight it out for the bronze medal this weekend.
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Sweden had a fully fit squad for the match against Spain and did not appear to pick up any injury issues in that match, so Peter Gerhardsson should have plenty of options to choose from once again.
As for Australia, Alanna Kennedy missed out on the squad against England due to illness and it remains to be seen whether she recovers in time for this weekend’s match.
Sweden to win @ 6/4
Sweden will aim to finish this tournament strongly here, after cruising through the group stage, beating South Africa 2-1, Italy 5-0 and Argentina 2-0.
They were heavy underdogs against USA, but stunned the world champions with a penalty shootout victory, before beating an impressive Japan side 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
Gerhardsson will feel that his side were unlucky to lose against Spain, after Salma Paralluelo broke the deadlock in the 81st minute but Sweden refused to give in and Rebecka Blomqvist slotted in a last-gasp equaliser.
The game appeared to be heading for extra time, only for Carmona to win it by chipping goalkeeper Zerica Musovic from the edge of the box in the dying seconds.
I think the Swedes will want to respond to that devastating blow here, despite the home advantage that Australia have.
Sam Kerr to score anytime @ 7/4
The Chelsea striker made her first start against England after struggling with a niggly injury all tournament.
Kerr beat England goalkeeper Mary Earps from long range in that match and she could well repeat the feat against Zecira Musovic.
She has scored 63 goals in 122 games for her country and has also been extremely prolific for Chelsea over the past few years, so will likely cause problems for Sweden.
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