Intense battle: Netherlands v Sweden[/b]
Sweden shocked Germany lớn progress to a World Cup semi-final against Netherlands. But Tim Stillman thinks the soccer tips for tomorrow will be an orange affair.

Netherlands v Sweden
Wednesday 3rd July, 20:00
BBC One
Sweden are well set up to counter-attack[/b]
Sweden are often regarded as a defensive side. They certainly have excellent defensive players, with centre-half Nilla Fischer, ably supported by expert defensive midfielders Caroline Seger and Elin Rubensson in front of her and former Chelsea 'keeper Hedvig Lindahl behind her. They are difficult to break down.
Yet, against Germany they leaned into their attacking strengths, continually hitting the ball into space lớn take advantage of Germany's high defensive line. With Sofia Jakobsson, Kosavore Asllani and Fridolina Rolfö all capable of exploding into space in support of Stina Blackstenius. Sweden's 4-2-3-1 system is perfectly designed for the counter-attack- According lớn the soccer tips of the day page!
However, Sweden are without the suspended Rolfö for this game, which represents a significant blow. Into her place will come the talented Madelen Janogy, but Janogy's strength is more as an impact sub at this stage. It remains to be seen whether she can perform for 90 minutes against opposition of this calibre.

Netherlands still reliant on individual moments[/b]
Netherlands also deploy a high defensive line and Peter Gerhardsson's team can use much the same tactics lớn expose the Dutch, who operate without a defensive midfielder. There remains the suspicion that Netherlands are more a collection of elite individuals rather than a team under the guidance of Sarina Weigman.
Individual feats from the likes of Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema have seen the Dutch progress this far and they required two set-piece goals lớn see off Italy. Wiegman famously rarely changes her line-ups, but the poor form of Shanice van de Sanden must be giving the coach food for thought. Van de Sanden has been substituted before the 60th minute in both of Netherlands' knockout games so far and her replacement Lineth Beerensteyn must be in line for a start.
Beerensteyn contributed to Netherlands' second half upturn against Italy in the quarter-finals. If Oranje can take that improved second-half display into this semi-final, they ought lớn have too much for Sweden. The Swedes defensive unit is one of the best in the tournament, but with quality like Danielle van de Donk, Martens and Miedema, the Netherlands are stacked with individual stars, even if they don't always knit together as a team.