Israel v Slovenia
Thursday 21st 1945hrs
Football – International – European Championship Qualification
Pick Israel
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 33/25 (odds taken 20.25 GMT, Wednesday 20th March)
It has been a struggle for both these teams of late but a new qualifying campaign always brings with it a renewed sense of optimism and that will be the case for Israel and Slovenia as they look to make a winning start in Group F.
European Championship Qualifying Betting at Marathon Bet
Israel Preview
Israel came very close to topping their UEFA Nations League group, narrowly losing out to Scotland and the subsequent playoff for the European Championships that comes with it. Although over only four matches, it was an inconsistent campaign for Andreas Herzog’s men – who was taking charge of the national team in a qualifying campaign for the first time – with two wins and two draws. Both their victories came in home games which may bode well for their opening encounter against Slovenia but their form on the road continues to be an issue and unless there is improvement will again hold them back from success in this group. Defeats away to Albania and Scotland extended the Israeli’s poor form on their travels to just one win in their last six matches. If that can be bettered then Herzog will believe they have a good opportunity in what is certainly not the hardest of the qualifying groups. Their hopes will again lie with star striker Munas Dabour who is getting set to end his time in Austrian club football with a move to Sevilla come the end of the season. He scored his first international goals for three years towards the end of 2018 and has been in excellent form for RB Salzburg of late.
Key-Facts – Israel v Slovenia
- Israel have won all three home games since Andreas Herzog took over last year, including both in the Nations League
- Slovenia have not won a competitive match since September 2017 and just one of their last six (including friendlies)
- Both teams know that to have a realistic chance of qualification they need a positive result from this match
Slovenia Preview
Following a very ordinary UNL campaign, it’s now no wins in their last six games for Slovenia – with their last competitive win coming in September 2017. Their winless Nations League section led to a change in manager and the return to the national team for the experienced Matjaz Kek who led Slovenia to the World Cup for just the second time in their history. It’s hoped that his re-appointment can spark some new success for this group of players but as they approach Thursday’s game against Israel, that is looking a longshot. There is a distinct lack of quality within this squad – with their best player by a distance being the excellent Jan Oblak – who happens to be a goalkeeper. The main source of hope for Slovenians is that they are a difficult team to beat as proven with them getting three draws from the four UNL games but draws alone are not going to be enough to see them finish about the likes of Poland and Austria in this section. A positive result on Thursday would certainly see them stand in good stead for a home game against Macedonia when they face that country on Sunday but the optimism is very much based on hope rather than expectation on what we’ve seen recently.
Israel v Slovenia Betting Advice
Poland and Austria are the first and second seeds in this group but one of these two nations will feel they have spring a surprise and possibly split them in the race for the top two. To do that, points against each other are a must and Israel will be under more pressure to make home advantage count in this opening group game, whilst the visitors would almost certainly see a point as being a good starting points – especially with this being Kek’s first competitive game in charge since his return.
Israel have won their last three matches at home and more significantly, that represents a 100% record for Herzog in his time in charge. Slovenia have not won a competitive away game since 2016 and their recent form suggests that is not about to change in a hurry. With some confidence behind them at home in the Nations League, Israel can get their European Championship Qualification off to a winning start.
