Slovenia-Finland is a match valid for the seventh day of Group H of Euro 2024 qualifiers and is played on Saturday at 6 p.m.: predictions.
Promises fireworks in Group H, the one that was supposed to be owned by Denmark. But the heavily favored Danes have lost a lot of points on the road and are now forced to share first place with Slovenia, which in six matches has won the same number of points (13) as Eriksen and co.
The top of the class, however, cannot sleep soundly: behind them are Finland and Kazakhstan ready to take advantage of any misstep on their part. The distance is surprisingly small: four teams are packed within just one point, when there are only four matches left to play. Slovenia is therefore currently masters of its own destiny, although it still faces Finland, Northern Ireland, Denmark and Kazakhstan. In any case, the selection led by Matjaz Kek can see the glass half-full: this representative was coming from a long period of anonymity, in which it had rarely been in the running for qualification to a major event such as the European Championship (Slovenia’s last participation was in the 2000 edition).
And if today it can again dream of participating in the main continental event, it is thanks to a coach who knows how to exploit the talent at his disposal.
Pohjanpalo
Slovene soccer, in fact, after lean years has “churned out” very interesting prospects such as Benjamin Sesko, a talent owned by Leipzig. The big star of these qualifiers, however, is Panathinaikos’ experienced striker Andraz Sporar, author of three of the 13 goals scored so far by Kek’s men (best attack in the group). It will be crucial for Slovenia to avoid defeat to Finland, a real direct clash. Markku Kanerva’s Finns are also doing well: except for the two losses to Denmark, they have always won. Yes, even against the Slovenians, who were beaten 2-0 last June: one of the two goals bears the signature of Venice striker Joel Pohjanpalo.
The prediction
There are the prerequisites to witness an enjoyable match, between two selections that are in the middle of the race for qualification and do not give up attacking. This time Slovenia, taking advantage of the home factor – it has never lost in front of its fans so far – should manage to avoid defeat in a match in which both are likely to score on at least one occasion.
The probable lineups of Slovenia-Finland
- SLOVENIA (4-4-2): Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Cerin, Lovric, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko.
- FINLAND (5-3-2): Hradecky; Alho, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Jensen, Uronen; Kairinen, Schuller, Kamara; Pohjanpalo, Pukki.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
