Slovenia vs Sweden prediction, preview, team news and more
In the UEFA Nations League 2022 this week, Slovenia will host Sweden at Stocize Stadium on Thursday night.
Slovenia failed to qualify for the European Championships last year and the World Cup this year, most recently in the previous competition in 2000 and the latter in 2010.
The home team will meanwhile make their League B debut in the tournament this week after playing in the bottom tier of the previous two editions.
Back-to-back losses in their last two FIFA World Cup qualifiers led Sweden to capitulate to the top spot in the group and drop to the playoffs.
They then lost 2-0 to Poland in the final, which ended their World Cup ambitions. So Sweden will now make sure to turn its attention to the Nations League.
Blagult endured a bad campaign last time, finished bottom of their group after winning one of their six matches and now hopes for better luck this time.
Slovenia vs Sweden Head-to-Head
There have only been two meetings between Slovenia and Sweden. The visitors are undefeated in both games, winning one and drawing the other.
The two teams last met in a friendly match in 2016. The match ended goalless.
Form guide for Slovenia (all competitions): DDWDL.
Sweden Formguide (All competitions): LWLLW.
Slovenia vs Sweden Team News
Slovenia
Josip Ilicic is a remarkable absentee for the home team, as he is injured. Head coach Matjaz Kek has named two unauthorized players in his squad, including teenage goalkeeper Martin Turk.
Damaged: Josip Ilicic.
Hesitant: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: None.
Sweden
Team captain Victor Lindelof is absent from the squad due to injury. At the same time, veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out with a long period on the sidelines and is another remarkably absent.
Several Swedish players have announced their international pensions in the last 12 months, which enables a more youthful team this time.
Damaged: Victor Lindelof, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Hesitant: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: None.
Slovenia vs Sweden Predicted XIs
Slovenia (3-4-2-1): Jan Oblak (GK); Jaka Bijol, Miha Mevlja, David Brekalo; Petar Stojanovic, Miha Zajc, Jasmin Kurtic, Gregor Sikosek; Sandi Lovric, Benjamin Sesko; Andraz Sporar.
Sweden predicted XI (4-4-2): Robin Olsen (GK); Emil Krafth, Carl Starfelt, Joakim Nilsson, Ludwig Augustinsson; Dejan Kulusevski, Kristoffer Olsson, Jesper Karlström, Emil Forsberg; Alexander Isaac, Robin Quaison.
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Slovenia vs Sweden prediction
Slovenia have had mixed results recently, with two wins, two losses and three draws in their last seven matches. However, they have only lost one home game since 2019 and hope to maximize their home advantage on Thursday.
Sweden have meanwhile lost three of their last four matches and will be desperate to return to top form this week. They are well ahead of their midweek hosts in the FIFA rankings and should win this one.
Prediction: Slovenia 1-2 Sweden.