Preview: Slovakia vs. Slovenia – prediction, team news, lineups

With a place in League B of the UEFA Nations League up for grabs, Slovakia will host Slovenia in the first leg of their playoff tie on Thursday at Stadion Tehelne pole.

Slovakia can count themselves unfortunate to not have earned automatic promotion to League B given they finished second in their group with 13 points from a possible 18, while the visitors collected eight points from their six group games and finished second last in third place.

Match preview

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The hosts beat Estonia 1-0 in their last Nations League clash on November 19, a game in which they created four big chances and nearly 2.5 xG, while also having prevented their opponents from registering any of their attempts on target.

Slovakia only finished three points behind first-placed Sweden, though they did concede five goals in their final four games in the group stage.

Sokoli have found the back of the net on nine occasions in their last five outings, scoring in each of their past 10 matches in the Nations League.

Boss Francesco Calzona has overseen a period of positive results, with the club emerging victorious in four of their six most recent fixtures while losing just once.

Slovakia are also unbeaten in four games at home – drawing two and winning two – and triumphed in four of their previous six at Stadion Tehelne pole.

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As for the visitors, they drew 1-1 with Austria in their last Nations League game on November 17 but were undoubtedly fortunate to have drawn considering Austria produced five big chances compared to their opponents’ one.

Slovenia’s form at the back has not been as strong in recent matches considering they have conceded eight times in their last four, whereas they had only conceded five in their prior nine.

Boss Matjaz Kek‘s side boast a better head-to-head record against Slovakia, with his team winning three, drawing two and losing one of their six clashes against Thursday’s hosts.

Kek’s team have been beaten in two of their last four – winning one – and drew five of their previous seven.

The visitors’ form on the road is concerning considering they have lost two and been held to stalemates in three of their six most recent outings away from home.

Team News

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Slovakia could station centre-backs Denis Vavro and Adam Obert behind midfielders Matus Bero, Stanislav Lobotka and Laszlo Benes.

In the forward line, striker Robert Bozenik is likely to be supported by wide players Tomas Suslov and Lubomir Tupta.

Slovenia could field a back four consisting of Zan Karnicnik, David Brekalo, Jaka Bijol and Erik Janza ahead of goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Adam Gnezda Cerin and Timi Max Elsnik are candidates to start in a double pivot, while Benjamin Sesko could be joined by Zan Vipotnik in a front two.

Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Greif; Gyomber, Vavro, Obert, Hancko; Bero, Lobotka, Benes; Suslov, Bozenik, Tupta

Slovenia possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Vipotnik, Sesko

We say: Slovakia 2-1 Slovenia

Slovakia have been excellent in their Nations League campaign so far, and they should be confident of securing a positive result.

Additionally, Slovenia could encounter a number of difficulties on Thursday given they have been more porous defensively in the past weeks.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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