Preview: Slovenia vs Norway – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

An exciting finish to Liga B Group 3 is in view over the next few days, as both Slovenia and Norway feature in a three-way tie at the top ahead of Thursday’s clash in Ljubljana.

While promotion cannot be decided until the last match daya win for either side would boost hopes of reaching UEFA Nations League‘s elite team.

Match preview

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After Norway and Slovenia moved clear of Austria and Kazakhstan in September with the Slovenian star striker Benjamin Sesko scoring four times in four days, the Austrians got back into the tally at the top with two wins last month, setting up a thrilling final.

All three have seven points with two Group 3 games to go and Slovenia moved on to that mark by virtue of a 1-0 away win over their Kazakh counterparts in October.

Matjaz Kek‘s men had previously gone down to a 3-0 defeat against a Erling Haaland-inspired Norway, managing just two shots on target to their hosts’ tally of 14 at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium.

Slovenia finished third last time out in the Nations League, in a different group with Norway, but the same result this year would mean they face a relegation playoff under UEFA’s new expanded format.

Top spot seals automatic entry to Liga A for the next edition, while second place earns a promotion playoff, so their fate remains very much in the balance heading into this week’s action.

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Already assured of legendary status in Norwegian football, Erling Haaland will have fond memories of last month’s meeting with Slovenia, as the Manchester City forward drilled home an early opener before moving on to become his nation’s all-time top scorer midway through the second half.

Haaland had earlier grabbed a late winner to beat Austria in Oslo, but Norway’s quiet progress through Group 3 was unexpectedly shattered by a big loss in the reverse fixture at the Raiffeisen Arena.

Having gone into the half on equal terms, thanks to a Alexander Sorloth equalizer shortly before the break, the Lions were eventually tamed Ralf Rangnick‘s men, who went on to win 5-1 after a flurry of three goals in 12 minutes.

With seven points on the board, Obsolete Solbakken‘s team is still in the mix for the top spot and they could soon mingle with Europe’s elite in League A.

However, they will have to do without their influential captain who Martin Odegaard has been sent back to London to prioritize his fitness following an injury sustained during September’s Nations League games.

Slovenia’s Nations League form:

Slovenia form (all competitions):

Norway’s Nations League form:

Norway form (all competitions):

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Skipper of Slovenia Jan Oblak leads a 25-man squad for the hosts and the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper will start behind a defense led by Udinese’s central defense Jaka Bijol.

The latter’s clubmate Sandy Lovric is back in the fold after an injury ruled him out of last month’s games and could feature in central midfield.

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko will look to add to his 11 goals for club and country so far this season, with Andraz Sporar favorite to join him up front; veteran forward Josip Ilicic may be limited to a temporary role.

Meanwhile, Norway’s hopes of getting Martin Odegaard back for their Nations League final were dashed as manager Stale Solbakken declared his captain would not be risked despite a recent return to Arsenal’s starting XI.

Erling Haaland, who has scored 34 goals in 37 senior internationals to date, will therefore carry even more of a burden; Oblak’s Atleti team-mate Alexander Sorloth should avoid competition from the Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Jørgen Strand Larsen to partner Haaland on Thursday.

The latter’s Man City counterpart Oscar Bob is still excluded from participating Hugo Vetlesen, Kristoffer Ajer, David Moeller Wolfe and first-choice goalkeeper Orjan Nyland – who recently suffered a serious knee injury – on the sidelines.

Slovenia’s possible starting line-up:
Oblak; Janza, Drkusic, Bijol, Balkovec; Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Sesko, Sporar

Norway’s possible starting line-up:
Selvik; Ryerson, Ostigard, Gregersen, Pedersen; Berg, Thorsby, Berge; Sorloth, Nusa; Haaland

We say: Slovenia 1-1 Norway

While Norway brushed Slovenia aside when they last met, a subsequent dunk from Austria and an extensive list of defensive absentees will surely take its toll.

Therefore, the spoils will be shared in Ljubljana, leaving both teams locked together on eight ahead of Sunday’s final round.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, please click here.

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