Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Slovakia will try to make a flying start to their UEFA Nations League campaign when they face Estonia at A. Le Coq Arena on Thursday evening. The Slovaks were producing fine displays at the EURO 2024, with the team almost eliminating England in the last 16 and is no wonder the bookies see them as favourites to win their Nations League opener. As Francesco Calzona can count on key players Stanislav Lobotka, Juraj Kucka, and Milan Skriniar for Thursday’s game, away win should be considered.
The Estonians, on the other hand, suffered a heavy 5-1 loss to Poland in the EURO 2024 playoffs and given their shaky defence, we do not believe that they are capable of grabbing something from Thursday’s clash. In their last meeting in a competitive match Slovakia defeated Estonia 1-0 and we predict that history is going to repeat itself.
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.