On Wednesday night, Slovenia host Slovakia in Group H of European qualifying for World Cup 2022.
Slovenia have taken three points from their opening three qualifiers in Group H. The home side kicked off their campaign with a superb 1-0 win over Croatia before suffering defeats against Russia and Cyprus.
🗣️ Kaj Benjaminu Šešku pomeni igranje za slovensko reprezentanco? #SrceBije 🇸🇮 pic.twitter.com/PEiE7QLj8B— NZS | FA Slovenia (@nzs_si) August 30, 2021
🗣️ Kaj Benjaminu Šešku pomeni igranje za slovensko reprezentanco? #SrceBije 🇸🇮 pic.twitter.com/PEiE7QLj8B
The defeat in their last qualifier means that Slovenia have won just one of their last five qualifiers, having suffered three defeats in the process.
Their most recent World Cup qualifiers have been relatively tight and low-scoring affairs with under 2.5 goals scored in nine of their last 12 matches.
One major plus for the home team of late in World Cup qualifying has been their home record, as they are unbeaten in eight home qualifiers while claiming six victories.
That recent stellar home form in qualifying is built on strong defensive foundations as Slovenia have kept clean sheets in seven of their eight unbeaten matches on home soil.
Slovakia will fancy their chances of at least claiming a play-off spot in Group H in what is turning out to be a relatively open group.
The visitors have picked up five points from their opening three qualifiers, but are just a point behind group leaders Croatia in the race for qualification for Qatar 2022.
The visitors underwhelmed at Euro 2020, beating Poland before suffering back-to-back defeats against Sweden and Spain. Qualifying for next year’s World Cup would give the team another chance to prove themselves at a major international tournament.
Not only are Slovakia unbeaten in Group H, but they have also won seven of their last 11 World Cup qualifiers. However, they have failed to win any of their last three away qualifiers, suffering two defeats and picking up a draw.
Forebet predicts that this will be a close fought game, ending in a goalless draw, which would not aid either team’s chances of qualifying for World Cup 2022.