Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Slovakia
Match Time & Date:
11/11/2021
21:45
Prediction: 1-1
Slovenia
Slovakia and Slovenia face each other in a highly-anticipated World Cup qualifier at City Arena Trnava. The Slovaks did well to hold Croatia to a 1-1 draw in their last group game, but despite sharing the spoils with Luka Modric and Co, they missed out on a place at the showpiece tournament. Since Slovakia have nothing to play for in Thursday’s qualifier, we are positive that head coach Stefan Tarkovic is going to mix the squad.
The good news for the hosts is that experienced midfielder Marek Hamsik has overcome his injury. The Slovenians, on the other hand, aim to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Russia. The visiting team failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup finals as well, and seeing that both sides will be with guards down in Thursday’s clash, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Atalanta ace Josip Ilicic.
Highlighted Player (Stanislav Lobotka):
Born in Trencin on November 25, 1994, Stanislav Lobotka is a Slovakia international who plays for Celta Vigo in La Liga. Lobotka began his youth career at his hometown club AAC Sparta Trencin and he made his senior debut for fellow local club Trencin. In 2013 he signed a loan deal with Dutch side Ajax, but he played for Jong Ajax during the 2013/2014 season.
In the summer of 2014, the Slovakian midfielder returned to Trencin, where he made 74 appearances in the league in total. In 2015 Stanislav Lobotka joined Danish side Nordsjaelland shortly before the transfer window closed. Lobotka made his debut in the Danish top flight against Brondby on August 30, 2015.
Two years later he decided to make a step forward in his career, signing a five-year contract with La Liga side Celta Vigo. Speaking of his international career, the Celta Vigo midfielder made his Slovakia debut against Austria in November2016. It has to be noted that Lobotka became the first Slovak to score at Wembley, finding the net in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against England.
Highlighted Team (Slovenia):
Slovenia have been competing on the international stage following the split of Yugoslavia in 1991. The Slovenians were outclassed by France in their first unofficial match (0-5), whilst they shared the spoils with Estonia in their first official game (1-1).
The former Yugoslav republic participated at three major football tournaments, with the team making it to the FIFA World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea (2002) and South Africa 2010, whilst booking their place at the Euro 2000 which was hosted by Netherlands and Belgium. Slovenia, though, have yet to make it to the knockout stages of the major tournament and that remains their unfulfilled dream.
Srecko Katanec and Zlatko Zahovic are regarded as the most famous footballers who played for the Slovenian national football team and they were part of Slovenia’s “Golden generation”. The Slovenians, who recorded their biggest win against Oman in 1999, welcome their rivals at Ljudski vrt in Stozice and the capacity of the venue is 12.702.
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
