Slovenia will welcome Slovakia for the second leg of their UEFA Nations League playoff tie on Sunday evening, with the contest delicately poised following a goalless draw in the first leg on Thursday night.
Slovakia are bidding to earn a spot in League B, while Slovenia are looking to avoid relegation to League C, and it is shaping up to be a fascinating battle in Ljubljana on Sunday night.
Match preview
Slovenia boasted a record of two wins, two draws and two defeats from their six matches in Group 3 of League B in the 2024-25 Nations League, which saw them finish third in the section behind Norway and Austria.
Matjaz Kek's side are therefore bidding to avoid relegation to League C for the next tournament, and they will have been pleased with their performance in Thursday's goalless draw, as home advantage now belongs to them.
Slovenia have actually only won one of their last five matches in all competitions, but they have been beaten in just two of their last seven, while the national side made a positive impression at last summer's European Championship.
Indeed, the national team made it through the group stage courtesy of a goalless draw against England in their final game in the section, before losing to Portugal on penalties in the round of 16.
Each of the last three matches between Slovenia and Slovakia have now finished level, but the former have not managed to overcome Sunday's opponents since October 2016, which was a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup.
Slovakia were incredibly unfortunate not to gain automatic promotion from Group 1 of League C considering that they picked up 13 points from their six matches courtesy of a record of four wins, one draw and one defeat.
Francesco Calzona's side were beaten to first position by Sweden, though, and they therefore need to take part in a playoff in order to earn the right to secure promotion to League B for the next Nations League.
The Falcons have only been beaten in one of their last seven matches, which was a 2-1 defeat to Sweden last November, and like Slovenia, they will also be pleased with their efforts at Euro 2024, having made the round of 16, losing narrowly to England.
Slovakia were seconds away from a famous win over the Three Lions, with Jude Bellingham levelling the scores in the 95th minute, before Harry Kane struck early in extra-time to make it 2-1 to Gareth Southgate's side.
The national team have only ever qualified for one World Cup, though, being present in the 2010 edition of the tournament, also making it to the round of 16 before losing to the Netherlands.
Team News
Slovenia will be without the services of Jan Mlakar due to the issue that forced him off in the first half of Thursday's clash.
As a result, Zan Vipotnik is expected to be introduced into the XI in a wide position.
Benjamin Sesko is one of the most in-demand strikers in world football, and he will be bidding to add to the 16 goals that he has scored for his country in the second leg, while Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak will feature between the sticks.
Slovakia lost two players through injury in the first leg, with Denis Vavro having to be replaced in just the 11th minute of the match, and his replacement, Adam Obert, was then substituted at the interval.
As a result, there is expected to be a spot in the middle of the defence for Ivan Mesik, who is in line to make his full debut, having made his first appearance for the national side off the bench last time out.
Ondrej Duda has scored 15 times for the national side, and there will again be a spot in midfield for the 30-year-old, while Stanislav Lobotka, Milan Skriniar and Martin Dubravka will also be notable starters.
Slovenia possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Lovric, Elsnik, Vipotnik; Sesko, Petrovic
Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Gyomber, Mesik, Skriniar, Hancko; Bero, Lobotka, Duda; Suslov, Bozenik, Haraslin
We say: Slovenia 1-2 Slovakia (Slovakia win 2-1 on aggregate)
This is shaping up to be a fascinating battle, and we are expecting it to be close; it would not be a surprise to see this game go all the way to penalties, but we believe that Slovakia will be able to get the job done in extra time.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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