Slovenia vs Latvia
16th November 1700hrs
Football – International – Euro 2020 Qualifier
Pick Republic of Ireland
Bookmaker Betvictor
Odds: Evens odds taken 2000 GMT, Friday 15 November)
Qualification is virtually beyond Slovenia now following back-to-back defeats last month. They will, however, be looking to end their home campaign with victory over a Latvia team who have yet to pick up a point in the section.
Euro 2020 Qualification Betting at Betvictor
Slovenia Preview – Can Slovenia bounce back from disappointing defeats and end their home campaign with a win?
There’s no doubt that Slovenia were hopeful of their chances of making it to Euro 2020 approaching last month’s qualifiers. A minimum of four points would have seen them be in control of their own destiny coming into these final games but it ended in disappointment as they lost to North Macedonia away from home before suffering the same fate at home to Austria a few days later. Those losses leave Slovenia in fourth spot in Group G and five points behind the Austrians. Although there’s still a mathematical chance it would need to be a a miracle for them to turn things around.
The aim for Slovenia is to attempt to finish in third spot ahead of North Macedonia. It may mean little in terms of this group but it will impact on where they are seeded for future campaigns. Due to them having a worse head to head against that rival, Slovenia will have to finish with more points. They complete their campaign with a trip to group leaders (and likely winners) Poland on Tuesday.
Latvia Preview – Without a point after eight games will Latvia finally end their drought with a result here?
The end of this campaign cannot come quick enough for Latvia. Since losing 3-1 to North Macedonia in the first round of games it’s been nothing but dismal ever since. With two games left Latvia sit rock bottom of the group on zero points. They have conceded 27 goals in that time and managed only two of their own. It’s the sort of showing you expect to see from the real minnows of European football such as San Marino but it is indicative of where Latvia are at the moment. It’s also a far cry from their position 15 years ago when they actually reached Euro 2004 and earned a famous draw with Germany. That remains Latvia’s greatest ever performance in international football and one they are miles away from achieving again.
Latvia will complete their campaign with the visit of Austria on Tuesday, an opponent who are likely to have gotten what they need to confirm their qualification when they face North Macedonia tomorrow.
Key-Facts – Slovenia vs Latvia
- Slovenia’s qualification chances were ended last month when losing away to North Macedonia and at home to Austria
- Latvia are still without a point after eight games and have managed only two goals in that time
- It was a 5-0 for Slovenia when the teams met earlier in the campaign
Slovenia vs Latvia Betting Advice
It’s certainly not the most appealing of games taking place over the weekend but it’s one that Slovenia will be very keen to win. Not only would it bring a positive response from their previous couple of games but it would also boost their chances of finishing third. For their opponents the motivation is obvious – get something out the game to avoid going into the final match still looking for their first point.
The 5-0 win for Slovenia in Latvia back in June highlighted how much of a gap there is between these two nations at the moment and it looks set to be another long evening for the visitors. Latvia have lost all of their games in this campaign by at least a two goal margin and it makes -2 on the handicap look an appealing proposition. The bet would be a winner if Slovenia win the game by at least three goals.
