One win, one draw and one defeat from a Group A1 campaign that has been getting worse by the game puts extra pressure on today's (Saturday 18th) meeting with Serbia, kicking off at 16:00 CEST at Strawberry Arena.
The sides played out a goalless draw in Stara Pazova six weeks ago, a missed opportunity for Tony Gustavsson's side, especially given that Serbia were pummelled 6-0 at home by Italy while the Swedes were conceding in injury time to lose to the Danes.
Denmark sit in the automatic qualification place on seven points, with Sweden and Italy on four each. Sweden need a convincing win this afternoon and hope Italy do them a favour in Copenhagen to retain realistic ambitions of topping the standings when the final matches are played in June.
"We need to get three points tomorrow," said a determined Julia Zigiotti Olme ahead of the match in Solna. "We are incredibly eager for revenge. We are so disappointed with that match (the 0-0 draw). We wanted three points from there and we have to get that tomorrow."
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Gustavsson revealed his squad had a visit from his equivalent on the men's team; head coach Graham Potter, a man who has fresh experience of qualifying a Sweden team for a World Cup.
"We received very nice congratulations. It was great fun, and we also got the chance to applaud and congratulate them on the World Cup ticket," Gustavsson said of meeting Potter.
Potter was there to inspire a women's team that has been beset by injuries this year, coming so soon after a handful of experienced players retired from international duty. One of the injured contingent, Nathalie Bjorn, was also there to offer encouragement and boost morale.
"She means a lot to the national team, and it's fun to see her again," added Zigiotti Olme.
Bjorn is out for this international window, as is captain Kosovare Asllani, who is beginning her recovery after undergoing knee surgery.
Meanwhile, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd has been suffering with a calf problem that kept her out of the Denmark match. Gustavsson is hoping she can be involved against Serbia, but it won't be from the start.
"It is unlikely she will start, given the limited training she has had. I'm guessing it's between 0 and 45 minutes," he admitted.