In the third-place match of the 2025 World Junior Championship, Sweden will face the Czech Republic on January 5 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Sweden vs. Czech Republic: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Sweden
Sweden failed to defeat Finland in the World Junior Championship semi-final, losing 4-3 in overtime. Sweden opened the scoring in the second period and twice had to come from behind. In overtime, they managed six shots on goal before conceding the decisive goal in the tenth minute while shorthanded, with Finland scoring on only their second attempt. The last time Sweden lost at the semi-final stage was in 2023, when they were defeated by the USA in the third-place match (8-7 OT). Notably, Sweden has medaled three times in the last five years, winning bronze twice (2022, 2020).
- Sweden has won in regulation time in 5 of their last 6 World Junior Championship games.
- At least six goals have been scored in 7 of Sweden's last 8 games in this tournament.
- Sweden has scored at least three goals in regulation time in all six matches of the current World Junior Championship.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic could not secure a spot in the World Junior Championship final, losing 4-1 to the USA in the previous round. They scored their only goal midway through the first period but conceded three times afterward. This was the first time in the current World Junior Championship that the Czech Republic failed to score at least two goals. Over the past two years, the team has medaled in this tournament, winning bronze in 2024 against Finland (8-5).
- The Czech Republic has won in regulation time in 5 of their last 7 World Junior Championship matches.
- At least six goals have been scored over three periods in 7 of the last 8 games involving the Czech Republic in this tournament.
- The team has conceded at least three goals in regulation time in their last three World Junior Championship matches.
Sweden vs. Czech Republic: Match Prediction
Both teams deservedly lost in the semi-finals to opponents who were more creative and quicker at times. Despite their impressive scoring throughout the tournament, both teams struggled with finishing in the semi-finals: the Czech Republic managed only one goal, while Sweden, largely due to Finland's defense, scored just three.
Now, the stakes are high, and while the Czech Republic wasn't initially considered favorites, they have proven themselves throughout the tournament. Sweden, on the other hand, was certainly aiming for at least the final, and missing out on medals would be a setback for both teams. In their group stage meeting in this World Junior Championship, the teams combined for six goals, and I do not expect a high-scoring game this time either.
No more than six goals have been scored in regulation time in Sweden's last three World Junior Championship games and in 3 of the Czech Republic's last 4 games in this tournament. Additionally, similar scoring outcomes have occurred in 6 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings between these teams in the World Junior Championship.
My prediction: Total under 6.5 goals
Marcus Gidlof
Melker Thelin
Melvin Strahl
Axel Hurtig
Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Rasmus Bergqvist
Theo Lindstein
Tom Willander
Viggo Gustafsson
Anton Wahlberg
David Edstrom
David Granberg
Felix Nilsson
Felix Unger Sörum
Linus Eriksson
Otto Stenberg
Victor Eklund
Jack Berglund
Jakub Milota
Jan Kavan
Michael Hrabal
Adam Jiricek
Jakub Dvořák
Jakub Fibigr
Marek Ročák
Matteo Kočí
Tomas Galvas
Vojtech Port
Vojtěch Husinecký
Adam Jecho
Adam Novotný
Dominik Petr
Eduard Šalé
Jiří Felcman
Matej Mastalirsky
Ondřej Kos
Pavel Šimek
Petr Sikora
Vojtěch Hradec
Vojtěch Čihař
