Prediction: Slovenia to win 2-1
Slovenia and Northern Ireland will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H this week. The match between Matjaž Kek’s side and Michael O’Neill’s team will be held at the Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Thursday.
Slovenia
Slovenia are one of the teams in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H who are aiming to finish in the top two. With Finland, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Northern Ireland and San Marino the other teams in the group, Slovenia will fancy their chances of ending up at least runners-up in Group H.
Matjaž Kek’s side are doing well too. Slovenia are fourth in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H at the moment with seven points from four matches. They are level on points with third-placed Denmark and two points behind Finland and Kazakhstan, who are first and second respectively in the standings.
Slovenia kicked off their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H campaign with a 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan away from home. It then followed a 2-0 victory over San Marino at the Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana, and then came the 2-0 loss at the hands of Finland away from home at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki.
Team News:
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak will start for Slovenia against Northern Ireland. Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig will start in attack for the home team. Aljosa Matko could feature in the match, while defender Vanja Drkusic could start too.
Northern Ireland
Like Slovenia, Northern Ireland will also fancy their chances of finishing in the top two of the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H table. The likes of Finland, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Slovenia and San Marino are not exactly opponents that should be able to finish too far ahead of them. Manager Michael O’Neill has some good players in his squad, such as Jonny Evans, Daniel Ballard, Paul Smyth, Conor Washington and Dion Charles.
Northern Ireland, though, are not doing particularly well at the moment. The Green and White Army are as low as fifth in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H table at the moment with just three points from four matches. They are three points better off bottom side San Siro and six points behind Finland and Kazakhstan, who are first and second respectively in the standings.
Michael O’Neill’s side kicked off their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H campaign with a 2-0 victory over San Marino away from home at the San Marino Stadium in Serravalle. It followed a 1-0 loss at the hands of Finland at Windsor Park in Belfast and then came a 1-0 loss at the hands of Denmark away from home at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.
Team News:
Jonny Evans, who recently signed a contract with Manchester United, will start for Northern Ireland and will have Paddy McNair alongside him at the back. Shea Charles should start as well for the visiting team, and so should Daniel Ballard, Trai Hume, George Saville and Jordan Thompson.
Key Factors to Consider
- Slovenia have scored 5 goals in 4 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H matches.
- Northern Ireland have conceded 3 goals in 4 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H matches.
- Northern Ireland have scored 2 goals in 4 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H matches.
- Slovenia have conceded 4 goals in 4 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H matches.
- Dion Charles has scored 2 goals for Northern Ireland in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group H.
Conclusion
Slovenia are at home against Northern Ireland and are also in better form. While Northern Ireland do have some very good players, the momentum is with the home team. It is very likely that this match will end up in a narrow win for Slovenia.
Prediction: Slovenia to win 2-1
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