Sweden U20 vs Latvia U20: prediction & betting odds January 2, 2025

The quarter-final match of the 2025 World Junior Championship between Sweden and Latvia will take place on January 2 at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa. Sweden vs. Latvia: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Sweden National Team

Sweden topped their group in the current World Junior Championship, securing the maximum possible points. Their most significant victory came against Kazakhstan, with an 8-1 win. The team has been one of the most prolific, scoring 24 goals. The last time Sweden was eliminated in the quarter-finals was in 2021, and since then, they have won medals in two of the three tournaments. Axel Sandin-Pellikka stood out in the group stage as Sweden's top scorer (4 goals, 3 assists).

• Sweden has scored at least six goals in regulation time in 3 of their last 5 head-to-head meetings in the World Junior Championship.
• The team has not won by more than three goals after three periods in 7 of their last 9 matches in this tournament.
• Sweden has conceded at least two goals in regulation time in 7 of their last 8 World Junior Championship matches.

Latvia National Team

Latvia finished fourth in their group in the first part of the tournament, earning four points. The team won two matches in the World Junior Championship, including a sensational victory over Canada in the opening game (3-2 via shootout), and defeated Germany (4-3 in overtime), but did not win in regulation time. Latvia has never advanced past the quarter-final stage. Erik Mateiko was the team's top scorer in the group stage with four goals. Bruno Osmanis also scored four points (1 goal, 3 assists), but he missed the last match due to an eye injury, and his participation in the upcoming game is uncertain.

• Latvia has scored no more than one goal in regulation time in 4 of their last 5 head-to-head meetings in the World Junior Championship.
• The team lost by at least five goals after 60 minutes in 4 of their 5 encounters in this tournament.
• No more than six goals have been scored in regulation time in four of Latvia's matches in the current World Junior Championship.

Sweden vs. Latvia: Match Prediction

Latvia made a strong impression in this World Junior Championship from the first match, stunning Canada (3-2 via shootout). A key player for the team has been goaltender Linards Feldbergs, who has faced a heavy workload as Latvia has consistently been outshot by opponents. However, the goalkeeper's resilience and confidence are unlikely to be enough in the quarter-final match. Sweden, the group leader, who has won all their matches in the tournament, is unlikely to falter. They are well aware of their opponent and will not underestimate them, so Sweden should successfully advance to the semi-finals, especially since Latvia has never progressed from this stage in World Junior Championship history.

In 4 of the last 5 head-to-head meetings in the World Junior Championship, Sweden has defeated Latvia by at least four goals. Additionally, Sweden has been one of the most prolific teams in this tournament, averaging at least six goals per game. The team appears solid and systematic, with no apparent weaknesses for opponents to exploit, so Sweden should comfortably progress to the semi-finals.

Based on these facts, my prediction: Sweden with a handicap (-3.5)