United States vs. Sweden Odds, Picks & Prediction for World Juniors (Dec. 31)

• Team USA (3-0) concludes Pool A play tonight in the World Junior Hockey Championships in Minneapolis with a matchup against Sweden (3-0).
• The Americans are 1.5-goal favorites after a comeback 6-5 win against Slovakia on Monday.
• Let us level the playing field with my United States vs Sweden odds, picks and prediction for tonight.

Now the Americans are going for the top spot in Pool A. Team USA has slugged their way to three wins with little margin of error. They try to go 4-0 in pool play in the World Junior Hockey Championships.

Team USA is the slightest of favorites as they step up in competition against Sweden. The Swedes are +350 like the Americans to win the WJC currently.

I’m going to serve out some level-headed United States vs Sweden odds, picks and prediction for New Year’s Eve night.

United States vs Sweden Odds

The United States vs Sweden odds have the Americans as slight -120 moneyline favorites with a 1.5-goal spread. The total sits at 6.5 goals for this World Junior Hockey Championships matchup.

DRAFTKINGS
SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 1/11/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/4/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

LOCK IN PROMO

SIGNUP PROMO

BET $5
GET $200

GET PROMO

Odds as of December 31, 2025, at US betting sites. Make sure you check out the best online sportsbooks to bet on the USA vs Sweden game and other WJC action.

United States vs Sweden Picks

• Pick 1: Sweden Over 3.5 Goals (+130 at DraftKings)
• Pick 2: Sweden to lead after 1st period 3-way (+185 at DraftKings)

There is no denying that the Americans are living on the edge. Every game has been closer than expected and Team USA was down 2-0 after 20 minutes against Slovakia. Yes, they stormed back but Slovakia showed a lot of resolve by not giving up.

This was a game that went down to the final whistle as both defenses and goaltending were severely tested. Sweden has a +10 goal differential early in the event. They have played the same three teams the Americans have. It is interesting to note that Sweden nearly stumbled against Slovakia. Now, the Swedes won 3-2 but had the goaltending to absorb the Slovakian attack.

Some do believe that Sweden wants to play an up-tempo game versus the Americans. They have the players to do so. Look at how they dismantled the Germans 8-1. The game was not close and could have easily been 11-1 or 12-1. Slovakia and even the Swiss are better competition compared to the Germans. Sweden has medaled in eight of the last 10 tournaments. It feels like they are due here.

New Year’s Eve is usually USA vs. Canada. It feels a little odd with Canada playing in Pool B. Something is missing. I do believe that Sweden scores early and withstands a late American charge in this tilt. No one would be surprised by a 4-3 or 5-4 result here.

United States vs Sweden Prediction

• Team Sweden to win in regulation (+160 at DraftKings)

My United States vs Sweden prediction backs Team Sweden to win in regulation in the World Junior Hockey Championships.

The trend is becoming more and more clear every game played so far. One could make the case that the Americans are the third-best team in this tournament and possibly fourth behind Slovakia, Sweden and Canada. It is how they perform above those expectations that will be key.

Tonight’s game does not matter in the grand scheme other than seeding for the quarterfinals. The Americans want to win the group while the Swedes want to even more. Again, Cole Hutson is not expected to play against Sweden. The hope from the coaching staff is for a quarterfinal or semifinal return. Stay tuned.

Once more, tonight’s primetime games from the Grand Casino Arena expect to have fireworks as pool top seeds are at stake.

Team USA has not named its starting goaltender for tonight. Sweden has the ability to rally like the Americans. They scored three goals in the third period against Switzerland while erasing a one-goal deficit.

With Hutson again likely out, Coach Bob Motzko has his work cut out for him here. The home crowd only gets a team so far. Minnesota has rallied behind the Americans but the gaping hole left by their power-play quarterback was evident against Slovakia. The forward groupings, led by James Hagens and Will Zellers, stepped up but tonight will be a nasty battle against Sweden.

Late additions have proven to be very valuable for Team USA. Sweden looks formidable and their play has been more steady. Considering how young these players are, that is quite impressive.

Right now, Sweden’s special teams could prove to be the difference maker tonight. This game appears destined to be close just like all the other American games so far. However, it could be the night that Team USA comes up a little short.