Norway vs Slovenia prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2024-10-09 18:45.
[p]After a frustrating 0-0 draw with Kazakhstan in their UEFA Nations League (UNL) opener last month, Norway got their first win on the board by beating Austria 2-1. To leapfrog Slovenia into top spot, they will need to make it back-to-back victories for the first time since last October, but they will be without the services of captain Martin Ødegaard, who is out with an ankle injury sustained in the last international break. [/p]
[p]Also working against Norway is a three-match winless H2H run (D2, L1), though Ståle Solbakken’s men can draw on strong UNL home form as they’ve won seven of their last ten such matches (D1, L2). Whatever the outcome here, early excitement appears to be on the cards given that seven of Norway’s last eight matches have featured at least one goal inside the opening 20 minutes. [/p]
[p]Slovenia, who were promoted from League C in 2020/21, are still searching for consistency at this higher level. Their 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their last UNL outing was their first win in seven matches, though they’ve kept things remarkably tight in that run by losing just once (D5)![/p]
[p]It’s a similar tale in the UNL, where five of Slovenia’s last nine matches have ended all square (W2, L2), but Norway is a place where they have struggled historically, scoring just once in five away H2Hs (D1, L4). Matjaž Kek’s men can take some inspiration though from the fact that the most recent of those results was a gutsy 0-0 draw in the last UNL cycle, which helped ensure survival in their first-ever League B campaign. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: The responsibility on Erling Haaland’s shoulders will be even greater in Ødegaard’s absence, but the Manchester City marksman should have no problem shouldering the burden given that he’s scored five times in Norway’s last four games, with four of those goals arriving in the 70th minute or later. All four of Slovenia’s goals this UNL campaign have been scored by Benjamin Šeško, who has netted nine times in his last eight matches for club and country. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Slovenia have trailed at half-time just once in their last 18 matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]