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November 11 2024, 22:28 · Alex Lawes

Slovenia vs Norway Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Nations League | League B Group 3

Slovenia vs Norway Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Nations League | League B Group 3

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Erling Braut Haaland-inspired Norway are in a hotly contested promotion battle alongside both Austria and Slovenia with all three sides level on points ahead of the final two matches. 

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 14th November, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms

SLOVENIA PREVIEW: SOLID AND DIFFICULT

The Slovenians started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Austria in Ljubljana as Benjamin Sesko opened the scoring after 16 minutes from the penalty spot before Bayern Munich midfielder Konrad Laimer equalised around 12 minutes later.

Since that draw, the Slovenians, who reached the Round of 16 of UEFA EURO 2024 after losing to Portugal, Slovenia hammered Kazakhstan with Sesko scoring a hat-trick before a 3-0 loss to Norway in Oslo and then another victory over the Kazakhs. 

NORWAY PREVIEW: NO LONGER STALLING

Under the management of former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Stale Solbakken, Norway have underperformed significantly in recent years with a stellar squad that boasts the likes of Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth.

The Norwegians have started this 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign by picking up two victories and a draw with one defeat in their opening four matches. They did begin disappointingly with a goalless draw against Kazakhstan in Almaty. 

SLOVENIA TEAM NEWS: RELIANCE ON SESKO

Timi Horvat remains unavailable for Slovenia due to injury but their real attacking ingenuity comes further up the pitch with in-form RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko. 

PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Janza, Drkusic, Bijol, Balkovec; Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Petrovic; Sporar, Sesko

UNAVAILABLE: Horvat (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

NORWAY TEAM NEWS: RETURN OF ODEGAARD

Martin Odegaard has returned from injury but Norway are without key defenders such as Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Kristoffer Ajer as well as attackers Hugo Vetlesen and Oscar Bobb.

PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Dyngeland; Ryerson, Heggem, Ostigard, Langas; Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby, Nusa; Sorloth, Haaland

UNAVAILABLE: Nyland (Injured), Ajer (Injured), Hanche-Olsen (Injured), Moller Wolfe (Injured), Vetlesen (Injured), Bobb (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: 

QUESTIONABLE: 

SLOVENIA VS NORWAY PREDICTION

Slovenia play a rigid 4-4-2 system and it has served them well in the last couple of years, whilst Norway also play a 4-4-2 but it simply has to be more creative and attacking to serve the abundance of attackers they have. The Norwegians are missing their first-choice goalkeeper as well as two of their back four for this week, though, so a double chance bet in favour of Slovenia, especially with their home advantage, would seem a good bet for this one. 

SLOVENIA VS NORWAY TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – SLOVENIA TO WIN OR DRAW