Sweden vs Latvia Prediction: Latvia can enjoy the game

Prediction for the IIHF World Championship Sweden vs Latvia match which will take place on May 25th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

The Swedish national team has not been among the winners at major international tournaments for a long time. Therefore, their head coach changed in the offseason. Sam Hallam began to show himself already at the Euro Tour stages, winning the tournament's overall standings. His players also performed well in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup. Sweden still could not achieve first place, having lost to the Americans the day before in overtime – 3:4. However, even in this game, their character was pleased, since during the third period, the Swedes were inferior – 1:3, but they were able to recoup. Sweden won in the six remaining games, allowing them to take second place in Group A.

The Latvian national team is the most unexpected participant in the World Cup playoffs. Under the leadership of Harijs Vitolins, Latvia showed modest results before the 2023 World Cup, as they failed at the 2022 Olympics and performed unsuccessfully at the 2022 World Cup, staying without a playoff. And now they started the home tournament unsuccessfully, losing in the opening match to the Canadians – 0:6, and then they also didn't cope with Slovakia, which is an opponent for them – 1:2. Fortunately, the Latvians did not stop playing after that. They won five consecutive victories, including the day before over the Swiss – 4:3, which allowed them to advance to fourth place in group B.

The Latvian national team was not supposed to join the 2023 World Cup playoffs. The Swiss made a real gift for the tournament hosts, leaving many key players out of the game since they had already coped with their tasks for the group stage. Therefore, the chances of success for Latvia are minimal. The difference in the class of opponents is too significant. 

The Swedish national team very pragmatically completed the group stage of the World Championship, but on the eve of their defense failed, missing four times from the USA. Latvian should use it and try to please the home audience with breathtaking hockey. The wards of Harijs Vitolins have already completed the task for the 2023 World Cup, so there will be no pressure on them. They can enjoy the game.