Slovenia-Norway is a match valid for the fifth day of the Nations League and is scheduled for Saturday at 18:00
SLOVENIA – NORWAY
Driven by the goals of an increasingly irrepressible Erling Haaland, Norway are close to an unexpected promotion to League A. Yes, unexpected, because the Scandinavians had been drawn in a very difficult group, perhaps the most balanced and uncertain of the B League, together with national teams of a slightly higher level such as Sweden and Serbia, which on the eve of the Nations League everyone considered to be the great favourites for first place and therefore for the leap in category. But perhaps they had not reckoned with the ‘fury’ of the Manchester City striker, an absolute protagonist in these first days of the Premier League with Pep Guardiola’s battleship. Haaland was decisive in both games with his Swedish cousins, scoring four of the five goals in total that Stale Solbakken’s selection beat Jan Andersson’s side in the first leg.
Norway, with two days to go, have a two-point lead over Serbia, the most serious threat, as a direct clash will be staged in a few days’ time. A positive result in Slovenia would therefore allow Haaland and his teammates to have two results at their disposal against the Serbs. The Norwegians have won three matches, while the only draw came in the first leg against the Slovenians, who are currently confined to last place with only two points. Avoiding relegation will be complicated for Matjaz Kek’s men, but Sweden are still just a stone’s throw away – they barely have a point to spare – and the last is not yet said.
Oblak
The Prediction
Slovenia, the main relegation candidate, is not yet a goner and in the last two matches they have ‘enjoyed’ putting a spoke in the wheels of Norway and Serbia, both of whom were forced to draw. For the Norwegians, another complicated away game is looming, although with Haaland so confident, they are unlikely to return to Oslo with a negative result. Their success would not be surprising in a match with at least three goals in total.
The likely line-up for Slovenia v Norway
- SLOVENIA (5-3-2): Oblak; Karnicnik, Bijol, Mevlja, Brekalo, Sikosek; Zajc, Cerin, Kurtic; Sesko, Verbic.
- NORWAY (4-3-3): Nyland; Ryerson, Strandberg, Ostigard, Bjorkan; Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby; Elyounoussi, Haaland, Sorloth.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
