Slovakia-Bosnia is a match on the second day of Group J of the Euro 2024 qualifiers and is played on Sunday at 20:45: predictions.
In a group that will most likely be dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Bosnia made a big impression straight away, debuting as best they could against Iceland (3-0). Despite the absence of Pjanic and that of their goal scorer Dzeko – the Inter striker remained on the bench – it took the Balkans only sixty minutes to liquidate the Scandinavians. And the main credit for that went to Milan’s Krunic, who improvised as a goal-scorer by scoring a brace.
Faruk Hadzibegic’s selection thus launched its bid for second place, which it will have to defend against Slovakia, the selection that – at least in theory – represents the biggest threat. The Slovaks’ debut, on the other hand, was anything but exciting, in perfect continuity with the latest outings of this national team, which has been struggling for some time now. With Italian Francesco Calzona at the helm – a former collaborator of Maurizio Sarri at the time of Napoli, directly sponsored by Marek Hamsik – Slovakia debuted with a blank-net draw against Luxembourg, a possible outsider in Group J, once again postponing the appointment with the victory, which has been missing since last June.
Bosnia, Dzeko back from 1′
This was the fourth draw in a row for Lobotka and his team-mates, always orphaned by Nerazzurri’s central defender Skriniar, who was absent due to injury.
Gyomber
The Napoli director will start again in the already potentially decisive match against Bosnia, flanked by Verona midfielder Duda and an old Serie A acquaintance like Kucka. In the Bosnian attack, on the other hand, Dzeko should be back, partnering Augsburg centre-forward Demirovic. Bosnia have always come out on top in their two away matches in Slovakia, most recently in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which also saw a relatively young Bosnian side make their first historic appearance in the competition.
The prediction
Slovakia created a lot against Luxembourg but are paying for the absence of a finisher. Bosnia are much better off, having made a good impression against Iceland in their qualifying debut, and could make a splash in Bratislava. The total goals should be less than three.
Slovakia v Bosnia line-ups
- SLOVAKIA (4-3-3): Dubravka; Pekarik, Gyomber, Satka, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Suslov, Polievka, Haraslin.
- BOSNIA (3-5-2): Sehic; Ahmedhodzic, Milicevic, Sanicanin; Dedic, Hadziahmetovic, Tahirovic, Krunic, Gazibegovic; Dzeko, Demirovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-1
