Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper

Sweden deserve to be the favourites in this tie. They have been very good at both ends of the pitch so far, especially on set-pieces, and I can see them winning it - although it could go the distance and require extra time.

The USA still have a lot of quality, but they haven't clicked yet. They don't appear to have much confidence or consistency when they come forward. That lack of cutting edge could cost them here, and mean they fail to make the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history.

Fran Kirby
England forward on ITV1

Ultimately I believe [USA's struggles are] down to their quality. They haven't quite clicked yet, they're still trying to work everything out.

They quality in their passing and possession is not what we're used to. They have to get a more clinical edge to their game.

Steve: Ok, so we're now in to the tight stages of the World Cup, here's my predictions: Japan will beat USA, then Spain (again), and into the Final. England will beat Nigeria, Colombia, and France, and we'll then beat Japan in the Final, (after 2-2 aet) on penalties, 5-4.

Sweden's strengths from set-pieces could be key today. They have scored at least one headed goal in all three of their matches at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup so far. Four of their nine goals at this tournament have been headers, as many such goals as they'd scored at the 2011, 2015 and 2019 editions combined (4/27).

Eniola Aluko
Former England forward on ITV1

It's not the USA that we're used to seeing. Something's not quite clicking. It's the final bit, but the chances are there.

And you should not write this lot off. They'll be quick against this Sweden back line.

The USA are in the knockout stage and these girls will not like being questioned. They will probably be very aggressive today.

Image source, Getty Images

The USA have been a long way from their best but have actually faced only one shot on target at this World Cup - the goal they conceded in the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands. As such, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has not made a single save in three games at this tournament.

Some terrific travelling support there. If you can get to a World Cup, get to a World Cup, I always say.

I'm currently trying to sell the idea of a US road trip for 2026 that may just happen to coincide with the men's tournament out there...

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

America and Kat from Portland, Oregon have been following the USA throughout this World Cup and had their tickets booked for Sydney.

So they “were refreshing the page for an hour” yesterday to get tickets for Melbourne after their team's unexpected second place in Group E.

“Women’s sport has come really far. I think other countries are getting more experience," said America (who quipped "yes, I know" when giving me her name).

“I think they should have different tactical iterations, I don’t know if we have seen many versions of this team.”

“There’s a lot of injuries too!" adds Kat. "Before the next tournament I would like to see them treat the players better.

"That paired with nerves, new players, injuries, it was the perfect storm. There are a lot of different factors in play. But we are going to be here for the next three weeks regardless.”

Image source, Emma Smith

What do we reckon then? Is this a changing of the guard moment for the women's game? Or is this the time for the US to step up and take control?

Let us know your pre-match predictions...

Netherlands manager Andries Jonker says his team have come to the Women's World Cup "with the conviction that we can beat everybody" after securing a quarter-final spot against Spain.

The Netherlands were forced to endure several anxious moments before defeating South Africa earlier on Sunday and booking a place in the last eight.

The Netherlands will return to New Zealand to face Spain in Wellington on Friday at 02:00 BST for a place in the semi-finals.

That's what you call dedication...

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

Esaam and Sonya have rushed over from Orlando, Florida, on a 15-hour flight which landed at 7am this morning after realising they could miss out on seeing the USA play at this World Cup.

“We thought they were going to waltz right through to the final, so we were starting our trip in Auckland on 10 August," Esaam told me outside the stadium.

"Then when we saw how poorly they were doing, we thought we should start our trip right now or we might not see them.

“If they lose, we’ll go to Sydney, spend a few days then fly home. If they win, we’ve got to buy a ticket to Auckland.

“We should have known, the world has caught up.”

Sonya says she is new to soccer, but came out with one of the most astute pieces of analysis about the USA's troubles I've heard.

"The other teams I’ve watched seem to have more direction and structure," she said. "The USA just seem so random.”

Image source, Emma Smith

This is remarkably the sixth successive World Cup at which Sweden and the United States will meet, having been drawn together in the group stage at each of the past five tournaments.

They also met at the Olympics two years ago, where Sweden won 3-0 - but their manager Peter Gerhardsson is not interested in past meetings or results.

"Personally this is not something I do," he said when asked yesterday about comparisons between that meeting in Tokyo and now.

"I live in the present here and now, looking at us and the US, and if we can use the opportunities with their weaknesses.

"I might look at some videos of the Olympics but not particularly, as there are a number of new players in the line-ups.

"Historical facts are less interesting; what happens now is what matters, not what happened before."

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

It's fair to say United States fans were not expecting to be in Melbourne today. Finishing second in their group was not part of the plan.

There weren't too many around the Melbourne fan zone when I took a walk down there a couple of hours ago, although there was a group eagerly queuing for the free face painting.

Their absence from the outside park could also be put down to the weather though. It has been a very chilly winter's day in Melbs.

Image source, Getty Images

It looks a pretty chilly evening in Melbourne as fans and players alike arrive pitchside. Both sides have had to travel across the Tasman Sea for this game after being based in New Zealand up to now. The winners will face Japan on Friday in a mouth-watering quarter final - back in Auckland.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Morgan has scored nine goals at the FIFA Women's World Cup, and could be the fourth player to reach double figures for the USA after Abby Wambach (14), Michelle Akers (12) and Carli Lloyd (10). However, she's yet to score at the 2023 edition despite having more shots than any of her teammates (14).

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Legendary striker Alex Morgan says that while it is "valid" to hold the USA to high standards, fans and media should no longer expect them to blow away teams as they have at previous World Cups.

"We hold ourselves to high standards and so does the rest of the world, which is valid," said Morgan, who is yet to score at this tournament.

"We have been very successful for decades, so we hold a high expectation for ourselves, and want to continue to prove ourselves right.

"But the game is getting better, the quality is just accelerating at such a fast rate. We want to stay on top, but have to fight to stay there time and again."

WSL fans will have plenty of familiar faces to cheer on this morning (UK time, anyway). The Sweden starting XI has six players who are based in England, including fearsome Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

The USA would not have expected to be playing in Melbourne today, given that the winners of Group E were scheduled to play in Sydney earlier.

In reality, the defending world champions were fortunate even to finish second in their group. They drew 0-0 with Portugal in their final game, with the debutants hitting the post in injury time to narrowly miss out on a win which would have eliminated them.

"We accept the fact we could have been out if the ball hit the other side of post," said Andonovski.

"We were lucky at that moment, but we move on. For everyone who wants to see more, we will do whatever we can to meet expectations."

Image source, Getty Images

Sweden may have only beaten the States twice in their last 12 meetings, but they are no mugs. Make no mistake.

Ranked three in the world. Sweden are in the knockout stages for the eighth time in nine World Cup appearances, failing only in 2007. They've reached at least the semi-final in three of their last four knockout stage appearances, with the exception being a 4-1 loss to Germany in the last 16 in 2015.