Azerbaijan vs Slovakia
10 June 1700hrs
Football – International – Nations League
Pick Slovakia
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 5/6 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 9 June
Slovakia are favourites for this section but they have work to do following a loss to Kazakhstan. They travel to Azerbaijan on Friday knowing a win is needed to ensure they remain in the hunt for top spot.
Table of Contents
Azerbaijan – Can Azerbaijan make it a first win in 13 games?
Two games into this Nations League campaign and Azerbaijan remain in search of their first win and also their first goal. They have at least got off the mark in terms of gaining their first point, courtesy of a goalless draw away to Belarus on Monday. Prior to that, they were easily beaten by Kazakhstan – losing 2-0 on their travels. The match at against Slovakia on Friday is the first of two home games in this run of games, they will face the return game against Belarus the following Monday.
Wins have been hard to come by for Giovanni Di Biasi since taking charge two years ago this month. The Italian – who enjoyed success when in charge of Albania – has won just two of the 24 games. Both of them have been away from home as well against Belarus and Cyprus so still in search of that elusive home win.
Slovakia Preview – Will Slovakia bounce back after a disappointing defeat last time out?
Slovakia endured a terrible campaign in the last Nations League competition, finishing bottom of a group that contained Czech Republic, Scotland and Israel. That seen them relegated to the third tier and they will be keen to bounce back at the first time of asking. It’s been a mixed start to proceedings, however, with a 1-0 win away to Belarus before following that up with a 1-0 defeat at home to Kazakhstan. The defeat is one thing, but losing at home to a team who are likely to be their main rivals for top spot.
They will hope to take the three points from this game before travelling to face Kazakhstan on Monday.
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Slovakia come into this game in decent form on their travels with just one defeat in their last five. They’ve also kept three clean sheets in that time. It wasn’t enough to see them through to this year’s World Cup, though, finishing third in the qualifying group.
With Marek Hamsik now retired and no permanent coach in place, it’s very much a transition period for this group of players as they prepare for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers which begin in September.
Azerbaijan vs Slovakia Betting Advice
As we approach the halfway stage of this campaign it’s already the case that Slovakia have to find a win here otherwise they could be set for a second straight Nations League group in the third tier. They will be hopeful of getting the win they need against Azerbaijan considering their dominance in the recent meetings in qualification for Euro 2020.
They won 2-0 at home and a thumping 5-1 win on the road, eventually seeing them reaching the finals last summer.
Key Facts – Azerbaijan vs Slovakia Betting Tip
- Azerbaijan’s only defeat at home in this competition was a 2-1 loss to Luxembourg
- Slovakia recorded their first ever away win in the Nations League with a win over Belarus last week
- The teams met in qualification for Euro 2020 with Slovakia winning comfortably home and away
There may have been significant changes with the Slovaks in recent times and their loss last time out doesn’t inspire huge confidence but they are a better standard than their opponents and should have enough quality to see them get the three points.
Best Betting Odds for Azerbaijan vs Slovakia
