Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Slovenia and Sweden face each other at Stadio Stozice in what is expected to be one of the most exciting games of Thursday’s program. Slovenia failed to impress in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with the team collecting only 14 points in total from possible 30. Since key player Josip Ilicic remains on the sidelines, we do not believe that home win should be considered. In his absence A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be Middlesbrough attacker Andraz Sporar.
The Swedes, on the other hand, aim to make amends for a heart-breaking loss to Poland, which cost them a spot at the showpiece tournament. Milan veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been omitted, but Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak should make life difficult for the opposition defenders. Man Utd rising star Anthony Elanga is pushing for a start.
Highlighted Player (Jasmin Kurtic):
Jasmin Kurtic is a Slovenian player who started his senior career at Bela Krajina. The midfielder scored seven goals in 74 league appearances for the club, but at the end of the 2009/2010 season he moved to Gorica. After playing just 15 matches for the Slovenian outfit in the 2010/2011 campaign he moved to Palermo, where he gained a lot of experience.
Kurtic spent the 2011/2012 season on loan to Varese and he played an important role in the team, making 42 league appearances. In June, 2013 he signed a permanent deal with Sassuolo, but three months later he was sent on loan to Fiorentina. On 25 June, 2015, the Slovenian footballer joined Atalanta.
Jasmin Kurtic has 2 caps for Slovenia U21 and he made his debut for the senior team on 26 May, 2012. He scored a goal from the set piece against Greece back then. His contract with Atalanta expires on 30 June, 2019.
Highlighted Team (Sweden):
Sweden are the most successful Nordic side on international stage having been present at major competitions since 1934. Blagult missed out on the 1952 World Cup trophy on home soil as they were beaten by star-studded Brazil side, while they finished in third place at the 1950 and 1994 tournaments, and finishing fourth on their second appearance in 1938.
As far as their European Championship record is concerned, Sweden also achieved their best result in front of home fans, reaching the last four in 1992, and they have since reached the quarter-finals at Euro 1994 in Portugal.
Anders Svensson and Thomas Ravelli are team’s most capped players with over 140 appearances each, but it is strikers Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic that will go down as the most famous Swedish footballers in history. The later also leads the goalscoring charts with over 60 strikes for the national team and he is widely regarded as one of the most colourful characters, not only in Scandinavia, but in world football.