Sweden U20 vs Latvia U20: prediction & betting odds January 2, 2026

The quarterfinal match of the 2026 World Junior Championship between Sweden and Latvia will take place on 2 january at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul. Sweden vs Latvia: prediction, betting odds and statistics.

Sweden National Team

The Sweden National Team finished top of Group A at the end of the group stage. The team reached the playoffs with a perfect record, and the squad finished first in the group in goals scored as well — 21. A significant contribution to that figure came from Jak Berglund, who was the side’s top scorer (2+4). We should also note that the team showed an excellent power-play conversion rate — 50%. The squad has progressed past the quarterfinal stage in five consecutive WJHC editions, and in the previous tournament their opponent was Latvia.

• No more than six goals were scored in regulation time in 6 of the last 8 Sweden matches at the World Junior Championship.
• The team won after 60 minutes in 9 of their last 11 matches in this tournament.
• Sweden conceded at least two goals in regulation time in 8 of their last 9 World Junior Championship matches.

Latvia National Team

The Latvia National Team finished fourth in its group, collecting 4 points as it did a year ago. The team managed to beat Denmark (6:3), and the squad produced a sensational result by taking a point from Canada in the opening match, although they eventually lost in overtime (1:2). In the lineup we note Kristers Ansons, who became the side’s top scorer (2+3). Latvia reached the quarterfinal for the third consecutive time, but the team has never managed to progress beyond this stage in its history.

• The team did not concede more than four goals in regulation time in 5 of their last 7 World Junior Championship matches.
• The team did not lose the third period in 9 of their last 11 matches at the World Junior Championship.
• Latvia failed to score in the opening 20 minutes in 7 of their last 9 games in this tournament.

Sweden vs Latvia: Match Prediction

We are facing a repeat of last tournament’s quarterfinal. This time Sweden should advance, but Latvia, we are confident, will try to make their progress as difficult as possible. Latvia performed well in the group stage: the team forced overtime against one of the tournament favourites, put up a respectable fight against the Czech Republic, and also secured their first regulation-time victory across the last two WJHC editions. Yes, the team suffered a collapse against Finland, but the visiting side will be highly motivated for the playoffs. It is also worth adding that the team has not lost by more than three goals in 6 of their last 7 World Junior Championship matches.

Sweden were clear favourites in the previous head-to-head as well. A year ago the Scandinavians went three goals up but ultimately allowed the opponent to pull back two. It is quite possible that the Sweden National Team will again start strongly and then ease off to save energy ahead of a potential semifinal. The side topped their group in scoring, but more than a third of their goals came against Germany, which now faces a fight for survival. That is the only convincing win for the Scandinavians in their last 9 World Junior Championship matches. In the other games during that period Sweden won by no more than a three-goal margin.

Prediction: the Latvia (+3.5)