Germany v Sweden: Women's World Cup quarter-final betting preview, tip & TV

TV: BBC1, 5.30pm Saturday

Watching Germany at this Women's World Cup, it is hard to believe they are a team managed by a coach who was awarded the job only last November.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has overseen a terrific campaign for the Germans, who have won all four of their World Cup assignments and are the only side in the tournament yet to concede.

They have become a cohesive unit as shown by the fact they have allowed only six shots on target in four games against China, Spain, South Africa and Nigeria and they can land a semi-final berth by beating Sweden.

The Swedes could represent a step up in defensive resolve, having shipped only three goals in four games, two of which came against the USA, but Germany have the attacking weapons to break them down in 90 minutes.

Die Nationalelf's most exciting prodigies such as Lea Schuller, Lena Oberdorf and Sara Dabritz are based in the final third, providing support for experienced striker Alexandra Popp, who has notched in their last two games.

Sweden will be hoping to sit deep and find a way through on the counter but Germany have them beaten in every position and have won four of their last five meetings with the Scandinavians, knocking them out of the 2015 World Cup in the last-16 phase.

Dzsenifer Marozsan is set to return to the first team after nursing a broken toe and she provides Germany with the X-factor in the final third to unlock a stubborn Sweden rearguard.

Recommendation
Germany to win & under 3.5 goals
1pt 23-20 Betway, Coral, Ladbrokes

Key stat
Germany are unbeaten in their last 16 matches.

Team lowdowns

Germany
Strengths
Germany have kept clean sheets in all four of their World Cup fixtures, which speaks volumes about their defence. They conceded only three goals in qualifying and shut out a strong French team in February.

Weaknesses
They are blessed with a plethora of energetic forwards but beyond Popp it could be argued they lack a target figure in the final third.

Key player
The importance of Marzsan's return cannot be underestimated. She is among the finest playmakers in the world, coming third at the first ever women's Ballon d'Or, and can win a game single-handedly for the Germans.

Sweden
Strengths
Like the Germans, they are defensively robust and capable of frustrating teams with more technical quality as demonstrated by their defeat of a strong Canada side in the last round.

Weaknesses
Doubts remain over who is best equipped to lead the Swedish attack. Stina Blackstenius has got the nod in their last two matches but they have also alternated between the likes of Anna Anvegard and Mimmi Larsson.

Key player
Having spent four years at Paris Saint-Germain, Kosovare Asllani knows what it takes to perform in France and she has been an important part of the team this tournament, scoring twice and laying on one assist.

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

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