Preview: Qatar against Slovenia – predictions, team news, lineup
The Sports Mole is a preview of Tuesday’s international friendly matches between Slovenia and Qatar, including announcements, team news and possible line-ups.
A friendly meeting between will take place at the City Educational Stadium on Tuesday Qatar in Slovenia.
The home team entered the match confidently after beating Bulgaria 2: 1 in the last match, while Slovenia drew 1: 1 with Croatia in dramatic circumstances in the last match.
Match preview
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A countdown is underway for Qatar, which is eagerly awaiting the 2022 World Cup, when all eyes will be on their country for the biggest football tournament.
Not only will they host the tournament, it will also be the first time Qatar will play in the World Cup, so Felix Sanchez is under pressure to prepare the right ones.
With that in mind, the national team boss would be pleased with his team’s first appearance in 2022, as they beat Bulgaria in a tough match.
Akram Afif took the lead in the 25th minute to host the World Cup, with the striker maintaining his composure from the penalty spot before the visitors equalized 15 minutes after the restart. Kirill Despodov.
The hosts otherwise responded well as Boualem Khoukhi he grabbed the winner to ensure his nation started positively in a year that promises to be a memorable year for Qatar.
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Unfortunately, Slovenia will no longer be at the November World Cup, after they finished fourth in their qualifying group.
14 points from their 10 qualifiers were secured Matjaž KekThe team finished for fierce competition for Croatia, Russia and Slovakia.
However, they started the year 2022 with a positive result, as they led Croatia to a 1: 1 draw in the third meeting between the two nations in just over a year.
It seemed that the friendly match was then approaching the victory of Croatia Andrej Kramaric found a net in the first half, but in the first minute of extra time, Jaka Bijol came to the trump card to deny Croatia victory.
Although they will not play in the World Cup, Slovenia will want to pick up another positive result as it prepares for the last edition of the UEFA League of Nations, which starts in June.
Qatar International Friendlies Form:
Qatari form (all competitions):
Form for international friendly matches of Slovenia:
Slovenian form (all competitions):
Team news
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Saad Al Sheeb missed against Bulgaria but was supposed to be replaced by goalkeeper Al-Sadda Meshaal Barsham during announcements on Tuesday.
A change in the back row is also expected, s Abdelkarim Hassan ready to enter the initial XI to be placed side by side Ro-Ro and Khoukhi in the last trio.
Sanchez will opt for the first two to start against Bulgaria, s Almoez Ali and Afif accused of offering a Qatari threat to goal.
As for the guests, Kek could make some changes on the side that played a draw with Croatia 1: 1, and one of these could come on goal, Vid Belec set up to get playing time, although there might be a temptation to give Ziga Frelih his international debut.
Miha Mevlja in Jure Balkovec both could play in the last three, as Kek is expected to dedicate most of his team’s minutes to the national team break.
Changes in the middle and front row are also envisaged, s Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Benjamin Verbič in Benjamin Sesko they are all ready to come to the side after the performance as a substitute in the second half against Croatia.
Possible starting lineup for Qatar:
Al Sheeb; Ro-Ro, Hassan, Khoukhi; Mohammad, Boudiaf, Assadalla, Al Bayati, Ahmed; Almoez, Afif
Possible starting lineup of Slovenia:
Belec; Mevlja, Balkovec, Brekalo; Karničnik, Gorenc Stankovič, Kurtič, Šikošek; Verbic, Lovric, Sesko
We say: Qatar 1-2 Slovenia
Since Slovenia is ranked only seven places above Bulgaria in the FIFA world rankings, we believe that Qatar will cause problems for its guests, but we expect Slovenia to win with a little extra quality in their team.
Top tip
Our professional tipster partners at Sporita.com they predict more than 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are announcing for this match and for more of their tried and tested football tips.More than 1.5: data