Slovenia Vs Sweden
Slovenia Vs Sweden Thursday, 2 June 2022 – 19:45 (BST)
UEFA Nations League
Pick: Both Teams to Score (NO)
Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: BetVictor
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 31 May 2022)
Preview: Group B4 in 2022-23 UEFA Nations League gets underway in Ljubljana, inside the Stadio Stozice, with Slovenia aiming to make the most of their home advantage against the ever consistent Sweden.
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Table of Contents
Slovenia – Home record can ensure encouraging start?
As the lowest ranked nation in their group, these next six games will be about consolidation and avoiding what some are anticipating will be a swift return to League C. Slovenia topped Group C3 last time around, securing promotion ahead of Greece, Kosovo and Moldova. That they did so without incurring a single loss (W4 D2), conceding only once, probably had more to do with the inferior opposition.
In more exalted company for the 2022-23 Nations League season, that same sturdy backline must hold firm in the face of plenty of adversity if they are to avoid conforming to the bookies odds. A four-game unbeaten run (W1 D3) coming into their opening game, having also lost only once on home soil since October 2019 (W8 D3), are heartening reasons as to why they can achieve an encouraging start to proceedings.
Key Stat: Each of Slovenia’s previous five international matches either finished in a draw (3) or were settled by a single goal (W1 L1), while they’ve not been defeated by two clear goals in a home game since March 2018 (19 matches).
Sweden – Wins have deserted Blue and Yellows?
With the heartache at missing out on World Cup qualification hopefully subsiding in the months since their play-off loss to Poland, the Swedes now turn their attentions to a strong-looking Nations League section as they seek an immediate return to the first tier. Janne Andersson’s charges were outclassed in 2021-22, finishing stone last (W1 L5) in a daunting group comprising Croatia, France and Portugal.
Despite struggling throughout, it was only goal difference – a marginally inferior one at that – which did for them. Their response to that disappointment was impressive. Pushing Spain, who they defeated 2-1 in Solna, all the way in World Cup qualifying only to wilt in their final two outings with qualification in their own hands. However, those games form part on an ongoing four-match dry spell inside 90 minutes (D1 L3).
Key Stat: Sweden’s last six matches have featured only one team scoring inside 90 minutes (W2 D1 L3). Meanwhile their four previous away matches all resulted in losses, three of them being to nil.
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Slovenia Vs Sweden Betting Advice
At odds of 13/10 to win this opening game of Nations League Group B4, I cannot help but think Sweden are overrated. Sure they were a League A outfit last season, and granted the opposition was formidable, but they’ve hardly gone through the most uplifting of periods recently. Agonisingly missing out on World Cup qualification in March when falling at the last hurdle, the play-off final, to Poland.
Slovenia Vs Sweden – Key Facts:
- Sweden are unbeaten when facing Slovenia, following up a 1-0 win in May 2008 by playing out a goalless encounter eight years later. Both were friendlies in Sweden.
- Slovenia have only sustained one loss in their past 12 home internationals (W8 D3), while they’ve not suffered a home defeat by 2+ goals since March 2018.
- It is now five consecutive away games without winning (D1 L4) in 90 minutes for Sweden, who will be determined to avoid bringing up their fifth straight away loss on Thursday.
Janne Andersson’s Sweden have one win in ten away matches (D1 L8). On top of this, their hosts on Thursday night are in reasonable form. Slovenia are unbeaten in four (W1 D3), losing only once across their last 12 on home soil (W8 D3). Goals could be scarce as well. Slovenia preserved their clean sheet in 8 of that 12-game unbeaten home stretch. While Sweden’s last six on the road failed to produce BTTS.
Best Betting Odds – Slovenia Vs Sweden
Slovenia – 9/4 (PaddyPower)
Draw – 11/5 (BetVictor)
Sweden – 13/10 (Bet365)
