Preview: Slovenia vs Norway – predictions, team news, lineups
Sports Mole predicts Saturday’s Nations League clash between Slovenia and Norway, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Slovenia they will be looking to move off the bottom of Group B4 when they perform Norway in UEFA Nations League Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are on the verge of securing promotion to League A for the first time, and could do so with a win depending on how Serbia fare against Sweden later in the evening.
Match preview
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After finishing first in a group that included Greece, Kosovo and Moldova last time, Slovenia got the chance to try out for the first time in League B of the Nations League.
So far, Matjaž KekIt was difficult for the team, with two draws and two losses, they trailed Sweden by one point before the fifth round of matches.
However, with them facing the Swedes on Tuesday, a positive result against Scandinavian neighbors Norway on Saturday could see them head to Stockholm out of the group, avoiding relegation at their own hands.
Despite the loss Miha Blažič until the red card in the 63rd minute, Kek’s chosen ones managed to hold back Erling Braut Haaland and company in the bay to a 0-0 draw in Oslo in June, so the 61-year-old and his players can be quietly confident of causing an upset on home soil at the weekend.
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In fact, that stalemate has been the only blemish on Norway’s otherwise flawless Nations League campaign so far, with wins in all of their other three matches leading Serbia to three points at the top of Group H.
Haaland, who adapted to the Premier League even quicker than he might have expected after his summer move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, has scored five goals with his strike partner in those three wins. Alexander Sorloth decisive third goal in the last 3-2 win against Sweden.
Having failed to qualify for a major competition since Euro 2000, there is a genuine belief that Haaland’s quality in front of goal – with the help of the captain Martin OdegaardCreativity in midfield – could lead the Lions to their most successful era in more than two decades.
Main coach Solbakkenwho played 58 games for his country as a player, was part of the squads that reached the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and the aforementioned European Championships in Belgium and the Netherlands, and will be desperate to lead a talented group of players to similar achievements.
Meanwhile, promotion to the Nations League A would be a key starting point for future success and provide more regular tests against Europe’s elite nations, and a win in Slovenia on Saturday would take them one step closer to completing at least that.
Form of the Slovenian League of Nations:
Slovenia form (all competitions):
Norwegian League of Nations format:
Norwegian format (all competitions):
Team news
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Slovenia will be without Blažič due to suspension following the defender’s suspension against Norway.
Benjamin Šeškowho scored in his country’s last game against Serbia, will almost certainly lead the line and the 19-year-old may be hoping to prove why many are hailing him as the next Haaland after showing sparkling form for Red Bull Salzburg of late.
Norway, meanwhile, have included Odegaard in their squad despite the midfielder missing Arsenal’s win against Brentford last weekend with a hamstring problem.
However, a scan of the 23-year-old’s leg showed no major damage to the affected area, leaving him open for selection on Saturday.
Marcus Pedersen unavailable through suspension after the defender picked up his second yellow card of the current Nations League campaign against Sweden.
Possible starting line-up of Slovenia:
Cloud; Karničnik, Bijol, Mevlja, Brekalo, Šikošek; Zajc, Čerin, Kurtič; Šeško, Verbić
Norway possible starting line-up:
Nyland; Ryerson, Strandberg, Ostigard, Bjorkan; Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby; Elyounoussi, Haaland, Sorloth
We say: Slovenia 1-2 Norway
We expect an even match in Slovenia on Saturday, but the greater quality of the visitors in midfield and attack will probably prove the difference in the end.
Norway could secure promotion to the A-League with a win, so Haaland will likely be more motivated than ever to add to his tally of 20 international goals and counting.
For data analysis of the most likely results, results and more for this match, click here.
Best advice
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com they predict under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this match and more of their tried and true football tips.Under 3.5: data