Slovenia vs Northern Ireland predictions for Thursday’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Ljubljana. Slovenia have done pretty well in their last match as they were able to hold Denmark to a 1-1 draw. Can they follow up against a struggling Northern Ireland? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Thursday, 7th September at 7:45 pm In:
Slovenia vs Northern Ireland Predictions
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Northern Ireland’s Uphill Battle: Slovenia Seeks Continuation of Dominance in Euro 2024 Qualifiers
Key Stats
– Northern Ireland suffered three successive 1-0 defeats in their recent matches.
– Slovenia boast an average of 1.3 goals per game in their recent ten fixtures.
In the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers, Northern Ireland’s ambition to change the narrative after a three-match setback will be tested when they challenge Slovenia at the iconic Stozice Stadium. As the Green and White Army wrestles with a challenging group situation, what can football enthusiasts expect from this encounter?
Group H Dynamics
Being four points ahead of Northern Ireland, Slovenia, under Matjaz Kek’s guidance, commenced their Euro 2024 qualifiers with confidence, toppling Kazakhstan and San Marino. However, this initial momentum experienced a lull as they accumulated just a solitary point from the subsequent two matches. A 2-0 loss to Finland followed by a hard-fought 1-1 standoff with Denmark highlighted some vulnerabilities, especially when they had only two attempts on target and possessed the ball a mere 37% during the Danish encounter.
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This placed Slovenia in a tight spot, being fourth in Group H, with the same points as Denmark but lagging behind Finland and Kazakhstan. With only one European Championship appearance since Euro 2000, there’s a hunger within the Slovenian squad, amplified by their recent form of just one loss in 10 games across the spectrum, to seal a spot in Germany’s grand event next summer.
Contrastingly, Northern Ireland, led by Michael O’Neill, have witnessed a tough qualifying campaign. Following a promising 2-0 triumph over San Marino, boosted by Dion Charles’s outstanding performance, they have faced a downward trajectory. Three consecutive 1-0 losses against Finland, Denmark, and Kazakhstan depict a challenging road ahead. Now, standing second from the bottom in Group H, the six-point gap between them and the frontrunners, Finland and Kazakhstan, is concerning. They’ll be vying to emulate their 2016 performance when they marked their European Championship debut but missed out on the 2020 edition.
Key Players to Watch
For Slovenia, Atletico Madrid’s stalwart, Jan Oblak, will command the defence. Additionally, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is under the spotlight, boasting six goals from 21 international caps. Other notable inclusions are newcomer Aljosa Matko and the young defender, Vanja Drkusic, keen on adding another cap to his tally.
From the Northern Irish camp, Manchester United’s seasoned pro, Jonny Evans, is anticipated to earn his 102nd cap. Other notable mentions include Shea Charles, making a splash post his transfer to Southampton, and Championship regulars like Daniel Ballard and Jordan Thompson.
Probable Line-ups:
Slovenia: Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko
Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell; McNair, Evans, Cathcart; Hume, McCann, Charles, Saville, Thompson; Price, Charles
Predictions
1. Match Outcome: Slovenia to Win
Given the recent form of both teams, Slovenia hold a distinctive edge over their counterparts. With a mere two losses in their last ten matches, Slovenia are showcasing resilience in their gameplay. Their early qualifying journey saw back-to-back victories against Kazakhstan and San Marino, reinforcing their intent and capability in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Additionally, the Slovenians’ draw against Denmark, a top-tier team, further establishes their quality and should boost their confidence coming into this fixture.
In contrast, Northern Ireland’s recent form is disheartening for their supporters. Having lost their last three fixtures by a 1-0 margin indicates a struggle in their attacking front while also showcasing a consistent vulnerability in defence. Historically, a consistent sequence of such scorelines can also indicate a potential mental block for teams, making it harder to break the pattern.
When we juxtapose the two team’s forms, it seems likely that Slovenia will capitalise on their home advantage and take the three points, given their superior recent form and Northern Ireland’s consecutive losses.
2. Correct Score Prediction: 1-0 to Slovenia
Building on the aforementioned form of both teams, a 1-0 scoreline in favour of Slovenia seems a plausible outcome. Northern Ireland, despite their best efforts, have failed to find the back of the net in their recent games. This goal drought isn’t merely an indicator of their attacking woes but also hints at their psychological state when facing opposing defences. Slovenia, on the other hand, have a sturdy defence and have been able to produce results even when not dominating games entirely, as seen in their draw with Denmark where they had only 37% possession.
Considering both the attacking form of Northern Ireland and Slovenia’s recent defensive displays, a single goal might be enough for the hosts to clinch the game, making the 1-0 scoreline a probable outcome.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Benjamin Šeško
When it comes to predicting a goalscorer, Benjamin Šeško stands out as a promising candidate. The RB Leipzig striker has managed to find the net six times in 21 international appearances, underlining his importance to the Slovenian team. Furthermore, given that Northern Ireland has consistently leaked goals in recent matches, Šeško’s sharpness in front of goal might be the difference between the two sides.
His youth, agility, and proven track record make him the likeliest candidate to score, if not the first goal, at least once during the match. In fixtures where a solitary goal can be the decider, players like Šeško, who possess the ability to convert half-chances, become even more vital.
Manchester United, on the other hand, showcased a thrilling comeback against Nottingham Forest. Down by two goals in the first four minutes, thanks to efforts from Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly, the team displayed resilience. Midfield marvels, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes turned the game on its head in an awe-inspiring fashion.
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