Finland-Slovenia is a match from the third day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group H and is played on Friday at 18:00: tv, predictions.
Slovenia is in the lead. After the first two days of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, both played last March, surprisingly it is Matjaz Kek’s selection that looks down on everyone. Two wins out of two and the only one in its group, which also includes the heavily favoured Denmark, to be on full points after the first 180 minutes.
Are they there by pure chance, or do Oblak and his team-mates have a real chance of fighting for the top two places that put a (direct) pass to the European Championship in Germany up for grabs? It is impossible to overestimate the value of the opponents faced by Slovenia so far, who have had to deal with the least competitive selections in the group, at least on paper. Namely Kazakhstan, beaten 2-1 at home, and San Marino (2-0), the probable cinderella of the group. Finland, in this sense, will be the first probing test for a national team that is, in any case, unbeaten for eight consecutive matches. Slovenia’s last defeat was a year ago, when they were beaten by Serbia in the Nations League. Since then, Kek’s men have collected three draws and five victories, including in the friendlies against Romania and Montenegro, a streak in which Slovenia have never conceded more than two goals. Numbers that allow them to dream of a second qualification to a European championship final stage for the first time since 2000.
Slovenia dream of a breakthrough
Finland’s campaign did not get off on the right foot, however, as they began with a predictable – and fairly straightforward – defeat in Denmark (3-1).
Finnish players exult after a goal
On a cold Copenhagen night Markku Kanerva’s men were overwhelmed by a hat-trick from Atalanta’s Hojlund. Redemption came a few days later, however, with the Scandinavians hitting the jackpot at home to Northern Ireland in Belfast, in a stadium that is always very difficult to conquer. A goal scored in the first half by Krakow defender Kallman (0-1) was decisive. It was a precious victory, which ended a long winless streak: Finland had not won since September. Kanerva will again be relying on Norwich centre-forward Pukki, with Venezia goal scorer Pohjanpalo only on the bench. Slovenia will be without Oblak, who is injured: Kek will rely on several Serie A players, from Stojanovic and Crnigoj to Bijol and Lovric.
The Prediction
Slovenia have lost only twice in their last 14 matches and should be able to avoid defeat at home to Finland in a match with at least one goal each, as they both found the way to a goal in the first two qualifying matches.
Finland-Slovenia matchday squad
- FINLAND (4-4-2): Hradecky; Jensen, Ivanov, Soiri, Alho; Taylor, Schuller, Kamara, Suhonen; Kallman, Pukki.
- SLOVENIA (4-4-2): Belec; Stojanovic, Brekalo, Bijol, Karnicnik; Zajc, Cerin, Lovric, Verbic; Vipotnik, Sesko.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
