Italy vs. Sweden Olympic Hockey Forecast: Odds, Analysis & Top Bet
As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, all eyes are on the thrilling ice hockey tournament. Italy and Sweden are set to face off in a highly anticipated preliminary game. This matchup is crucial, especially considering Italy’s underdog status and Sweden’s formidable roster.
Italy vs. Sweden Olympic Hockey Forecast
Italy enters the Olympic arena with long odds, sitting at 100/1 according to DraftKings. This places them at the bottom of the rankings among the 12 competing nations. Their last Olympic appearance in men’s ice hockey was in 2006, where they hosted the event in Turin, and Sweden clinched the gold medal.
Italy’s Roster and League Experience
The Italian team lacks experience from the NHL, as none of its players have competed at that level. Most athletes are engaged in the ICEHL, a Central European league primarily comprising teams from Austria. The ICEHL is ranked lower than the top 10 professional hockey leagues globally, which raises concerns about Italy’s competitive edge against a top-tier country like Sweden.
Sweden’s NHL Talent
Sweden comes into the game boasting outstanding NHL players. The roster features stars such as:
- William Nylander
- Lucas Raymond
- Mika Zibanejad
- Filip Forsberg
On the defensive side, Sweden’s lineup includes highly experienced players like Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, and Erik Karlsson. After recently recovering from a serious knee injury, Gabriel Landeskog has also been added to the roster, enhancing their attack.
Betting Insights and Predictions
As of now, Sweden holds the third-best odds at +650 to win the tournament. Interestingly, they had a disappointing performance in the recent 4 Nations tournament, losing all three round robin games. In the IIHF World Championships held last spring, Sweden was eliminated by the U.S. in the semi-finals.
The betting line for this upcoming match indicates a significant disparity. Analysts suggest that Sweden is a heavy favorite, making a Puck Line of 5.5 goals a viable option. They are expected to set a dominant tone against Italy as they take to the ice.
The recommended play for this matchup is Sweden -5.5 at +114 odds via DraftKings. With the talent gap evident, this could be a decisive game for the Swedes as they bid farewell to their underdog opponents with a simple “Ciao.”
