Slovakia and Slovenia are looking to finish UEFA World Cup 2022 qualifying on a high note. Neither side can qualify for the World Cup 2022 directly or via the playoffs.
With two games to go in qualifying, both Slovakia and Slovenia are playing for pride after being eliminated from progression.
Vpogled v današnji trening A reprezentance 📹 #SrceBije | #WCQ pic.twitter.com/dog9mcTzlg— NZS | FA Slovenia (@nzs_si) November 9, 2021
Vpogled v današnji trening A reprezentance 📹 #SrceBije | #WCQ pic.twitter.com/dog9mcTzlg
On Thursday night, Slovakia will host Slovenia at the Štadión Antona Malatinského. Slovakia go into the fixture ranked No. 40 in the world. They moved down two places in October’s rankings.
Slovenia are ranked No. 64 in the world according to FIFA. Manager Matjaž Kek has a hot and cold team that has posted a record of 3W-1D-4L in World Cup Group H. Slovenia have posted a goal difference of zero with nine goals for and nine against.
Slovakia’s 2021 hasn’t been much better. Štefan Tarkovič’s team has posted a record of 2W-4D-2L in World Cup Group H. Draws have been Slovakia’s downfall in qualifying. They are +1 in goal difference with nine goals for and eight against.
Both teams go into the match on 10 points from 24 available to them. Slovakia and Slovenia are seven points back of second-place Croatia, meaning progression to the next stage is impossible.
Slovenia hosted Slovakia in September in the Stožice Stadium with the match finishing 1-1. Slovakia’s Róbert Boženík opened the scoring on 32 minutes before Slovenia’s Petar Stojanović hit back 10 minutes later to equalise.
These teams have played head-to-head eight times previously. Slovenia hold a slight advantage over Slovakia in the teams’ head-to-head games with 3W-3D-2L.
Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka was called up tothe Slovakia squad after missing the team’s last two international breaks due to injury. Dubravka should replace Marek Rodak in goal for the game versus Slovenia.
Slovakia defender Vernon De Marco could get his first cap for the national team. Meanwhile, Boženík is looking for another start after scoring versus Slovenia in the teams’ previous meeting.
Venezia player Domen Črnigoj is unavailable for Slovenia coach Kek due to injury. Jon Gorenc Stanković of Sturm Graz has withdrawn from the squad as has Luka Zahović. Forward Benjamin Šeško is also unavailable due to an injury.
Thursday’s match is all about pride for Slovakia and Slovenia. Neither side can progress to the World Cup directly or to the playoffs. Slovakia are coming off of a 2-2 draw with Croatia in qualifying while Slovenia lost to Russia 2-1 last time out.
Slovakia should claim a narrow win over Slovenia on Thursday night and make their position in Group H look more respectable. The match should finish with under 1.5 goals as Slovakia win to nil.