Sports Mole previews Friday’s World Cup Qualifying – Europe clash between Slovenia and Sweden, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
With both sides hoping to qualify for World Cup 2026, Slovenia will host Sweden on Friday at Stadion Stozice in their first group game of the competition’s qualifiers.
Both sides head into the clash off the back of victories in their most recent matches, with the home nation beating Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-1 in June, while the away team were 4-3 winners when they faced Algeria in the same month.
Match preview
Slovenia have failed to qualify for the past three World Cups, and their participation in Euro 2024 was the first time they had competed in the tournament since 2000.
While head coach Matjaz Kek will be pleased that his side conceded just once in their last four games, his players only found the back of the net four times while scoring one goal in two of those matches.
Kekci’s record against Sweden is poor considering they are winless in their four encounters, losing on two occasions, though they did draw 1-1 when they met in September 2022.
The hosts are undefeated in their five most recent outings, and a win on Friday would be their fourth consecutive triumph.
Slovenia have been resilient at home given they have only experienced one loss in their last 18 at Stadion Stozice, achieving victory 11 times in that period, including in three of their past four.
Sweden failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after they were eliminated from a playoff game against Poland in March 2022, though they did reach the quarter-finals of the 2018 iteration of the competition.
Boss Jon Dahl Tomasson‘s side have been productive in the final third, netting at least two goals in nine of their 10 most recent outings.
At the other end of the pitch, Blagult have only kept one clean sheet in four, conceding five times in those matches.
The visitors’ form heading to Stadion Stozice has been outstanding considering they have won eight of their last 10 in all competitions, and they have also emerged as victors in six of their past seven competitive fixtures while avoiding defeat.
Sweden’s record on the road is positive, with the nation winning three, drawing one and losing one of their last five away from home.
Slovenia form (all competitions):
Sweden form (all competitions):
Team News
Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko can be pencilled into the XI, while Danijel Sturm and Petar Stojanovic can be expected to play either side of the number nine.
Adrian Zeljkovic was called up to the national team, and he is likely to feature in the middle of the pitch alongside Dejan Petrovic.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak is still first choice between the posts, and he could be stationed behind centre-backs Jaka Bijol and David Brekalo.
Sweden have called up centre-forward Alexander Isak, but it remains to be seen if the attacker will start up front given he did not take part in pre-season training due to his refusal to train with Newcastle United in order to force through a move to Liverpool.
Fellow striker Viktor Gyokeres is certain to start, and if Isak is only fit enough for a place on the bench, Benjamin Nygren may come into the starting XI.
Perhaps Yasin Ayari will be selected to play in defensive midfield ahead of central defenders Daniel Svensson, Isak Hien and Hjalmar Ekdal.
Slovenia possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza; Petrovic, Zeljkovic; Stojanovic, Lovric, Sturm; Sesko
Sweden possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Ekdal, Hien, Svensson; Elanga, Larsson, Ayari, Saletros, Sema; Nygren, Gyokeres
We say: Slovenia 1-1 Sweden
Sweden’s performances of late have been outstanding, and their record on the road is strong, so they will be confident of at least avoiding defeat.
While Slovenia will face a difficult challenge on Friday, they could take advantage of the fact the visitors have not been at their best defensively in recent matches, and they may take a point in their opening group game.
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