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Slovakia, who reached the round of 16 in the last Euro but were eliminated by England 2-1 in extra time with a late goal by Bellingham, have continued their good form by winning their first two Nations League matches. They beat Estonia 1-0 away and comfortably overcame Azerbaijan 2-0 at home.
Slovakia, along with Sweden, are clearly the favorites in this group, and tonight’s match could be crucial in determining the top spot and potential promotion. A slip-up at home could be costly for either side. Despite not qualifying for the Euro this summer, Sweden is still a strong contender to advance to League B in the next edition.
Similar to Slovakia, Sweden, led by the outstanding Viktor Gyökeres, won their first two matches, defeating Azerbaijan 3-1 away and easily dispatching Estonia 3-0 at home. Before these games, Sweden, who were quarter-finalists at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, suffered two friendly defeats in June against Serbia (3-0) and Denmark (2-1).
Among Slovakia’s key players are Duda (Hellas Verona), who answered the coach’s call by scoring in September, as well as Milan Skriniar (PSG, 74 caps), midfielder Lobotka (Napoli), striker Strelec (Slovan Bratislava, four goals in nine league matches), and defenders Hancko (Feyenoord), Obert (Cagliari), along with wingers Suslov (Hellas Verona) and Haraslin (Sparta Prague, three goals, two assists).
However, the team will miss the important midfielder Kucka (Slovan Bratislava) due to injury. On the Swedish side, Gyökeres, who has already scored three goals and provided two assists in the competition, will be present, as well as young talents like Nanasi (Strasbourg), Gudmundsson (Lille), captain Lindelöf (Man United), Krafth (Newcastle), and the promising 18-year-old Bergvall (Tottenham) alongside Kulusevski (Tottenham, three goals in 41 caps).
Some Swedish players called up in September will miss this gathering, including Wahlqvist (16 caps), Kurtulus (eight caps), Svanberg (Wolfsburg, 35 caps), Jean Cajuste (Ipswich), and attackers Nilsson (Club Brugge) and Isak (Newcastle), either by choice or due to injury.
Prediction
Slovakia has been strong at home, remaining unbeaten in their last 16 Nations League matches and winning 12 of them, so they will enter this match with confidence. Sweden, however, has struggled away from home, losing four of their last six games and collecting just 10 out of 25 points.
Prediction: Slovakia 2 : 1 Sweden
