Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Slovakia
Match Time & Date:
14/10/2020
02:45 PM
Prediction: 2-1
Israel
City Arena Trnava will host the Nations League clash between Slovakia and Israel. The Slovaks have been playing below expectations in Group 2, and, as a result, they are stuck at the bottom of the table ahead of the visit of Israel. To make things even worse for the hosts, Vitesse midfielder Matus Bero is going to miss the Israel game through injury after picking up a knock in the 1-0 loss to Scotland.
The visitors, on the other hand, have yet to recover from the elimination in the Euro 2021 playoffs. Israel experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 2-1 loss to Czech Republic, and seeing that Slovakia are eager to return to winning ways, we predict that the visitors will return home empty-handed from the trip to Trnava. Former Sevilla attacker Munas Dabbur is widely expected to return to the starting XI for the visitors.
Highlighted Player (Martin Skrtel):
Martin Skrtel is without a doubt one of Slovakia’s most famous footballers and with over 80 appearances for the national team, he is also one of their most capped players. Following a bright start to his career at Trencin, the powerful defender secured a move to Zenit, where he would go on to spend next three and a half years.
But, it was the £6.5 million transfer to Liverpool in January 2008 that put him on the map and ensured he would be remembered by football fans everywhere. Known for his uncompromising style of play that often got him into trouble, Skrtel enjoyed some success at Anfield, and even though major titles eluded him and his teammates, the centre-back scored in the 2011/2012 League Cup final to help the Reds lift the coveted trophy.
The Slovakian defender has so far made over 240 Premier League appearances for one of England’s most famous clubs and he has also been a real rock at the back for the Slovakian national team. Skrtel has missed very few competitive matches for his country after making his debut back in 2004, and he started four fixtures at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Highlighted Team (Israel):
Israel are the direct successor of the Mandatory Palestine national football team. The Israelis received full UEFA membership in 1994, 20 years after leaving AFC and they have been facing European sides in the World Cup qualifiers ever since. Israel participated at the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, but they failed to make it to the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament.
The Israeli national football team have yet to qualify for the final stages of the European Championship, but they made it to the quarter-finals of the Olympics on two occasions (1968, 1976). Israel play their home games at both Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa and Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.
Yossi Benayoun is the most famous and the most capped Israeli footballer and it has to be noted that the pacey midfielder played for the likes of Racing Santander, West Ham United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the past. Israel play their home games in blue shirts and blue shorts, whilst they wear white shirts and white shorts when playing on the travels.
Tottenham
Liverpool
