Slovenia vs Kazakhstan prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2024-09-08 18:45.
[p]Slovenia’s run at UEFA Euro 2024 was quite remarkable considering they didn’t win a game in the group phase (D3), but that was enough to get them to the last 16, where again they drew in normal time – this time to Portugal – only to heartbreakingly exit the tournament on penalties. That energy seems to have been carried into their UEFA Nations League (UNL) Group B3 campaign, which began with a 1-1 draw at home against Austria on Friday. [/p]
[p]The Slovenians will view that as a positive start considering that Austria are the highest-ranked team in the group according to FIFA, with Slovenia 30 places below them in 52nd. Matjaž Kek’s men will definitely prove a hard nut to crack for any side given their recent results, as they’ve suffered defeat just three times in their last 26 matches (W13, D10), sounding them out as real promotion contenders.[/p]
[p]The next visitors to Stadion Stožice are Kazakhstan, who are featuring in League B for the first time after an inspiring UNL campaign last season that saw them top their group after four wins in their six matches (D1, L1). They began their Group B3 journey with an odds-defying 0-0 draw with Norway, where their resilience was tested to the max after the Norwegians racked up an xG of 1.69, had 65% possession, and peppered the Kazakhs with 19 shots. [/p]
[p]That stalemate ended a four-game losing streak for the Hawks, a run that began with a 5-0 defeat to Greece in the Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs, which ensured that they’ve still never featured at a major tournament. They may have qualified for the finals in Germany directly however if it wasn’t for their two meetings with Slovenia in the group stages of qualifying, both of which they lost 2-1.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Slovenia’s Petar Stojanović was chief destroyer against Kazakhstan in those two encounters last year, as he provided the winning assist on both occasions. Maksim Samorodov also left his mark on those games for Kazakhstan, playing his part in both of their goals (G1, A1).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Slovenia have conceded exactly once in five of their last seven internationals. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]