Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Slovakia
Match Time & Date:
08/09/2024
18:00
Prediction: 2-0
Azerbaijan
Buoyed by a hard-fought 1-0 win over Estonia, Slovakia will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they face Azerbaijan at Kosicka futbalova arena on Sunday. Slovakia continue with fine displays following their successful EURO 2024 campaign and, as a result, the odds for home win have been dropping. Barring any fresh injury worries, Francesco Calzona is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated the Estonians on Thursday.
The Azeri, on the other hand, experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 3-1 loss to Sweden and they face yet another tough challenge against Slovakia, who are a real force to be reckoned with at home. In their last meeting in the UEFA Nations League Azerbaijan defeated Slovakia 2-1, meaning that the hosts are hungry for revenge. Zira midfielder Ceyhun Nuriyev is widely expected to return to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in the opener.
Highlighted Team (Slovakia):
Slovakia only appeared on the international stage in 1993 as Czechoslovakia fell apart, and the new national team have yet to record a result worth mention. Repre have only qualified for two major tournaments so far, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2016, but the current generation definitely seem capable of improving the team’s profile in years to come.
Slovakia currently have quite a few players plying their trade in some of Europe’s top sides, with Marek Hamsik, Martin Skrtel and Juraj Kucka clearly the leaders of the national team at the moment, but they do struggle in some areas and are not exactly world beaters just yet. Under Vladimir Weiss and Jan Kozak, Slovakia have become a tough not to crack, relying on rock-solid back line and swift counter-attacks, and they even gave Spain a tough time during the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Miroslav Karhan and Robert Vittek are the most capped player and top goalscorer respectively, with Robert Vittek another player worth the mention.
Sparta Prague 
Atletico Madrid 
Barcelona 
Brest
Bayer Leverkusen 
Salzburg 
Bayern Munich 
PSG
Inter 
Leipzig 
Man City 
Feyenoord 
