Norway will welcome Slovenia to Ullevaal Stadion in the group stage of the UEFA Nations League on Thursday. Both teams have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their campaign with one win each in two games.
The hosts played out a goalless draw against Kazakhstan in their campaign opener and bounced back with a 2-1 home win over Austria. Felix Horn Myhre broke the deadlock in the ninth minute and Erling Haaland scored the match-winner in the 80th minute.
The visitors began their campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Austria, with Benjamin Šeško scoring from the penalty spot in the first half. Šeško continued his goalscoring form in the second match as his hat-trick helped them to a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan.
Norway vs Slovenia Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have squared off 11 times in all competitions. The hosts have been the better side in these meetings with six wins. The visitors have two wins to their name and three games have ended in draws.
- They have met four times in the Nations League, with one win for either side and two games ending in draws.
- They last met in the group stage of the 2022-23 Nations League, with Slovenia recording a 2-1 home win.
- Norway have suffered two losses at home in the Nations League while recording seven wins in 10 games.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last six appearances in the Nations League, with four games ending in draws.
- Seven of the 11 meetings between the two teams have produced over 2.5 goals, with the visitors failing to score in five games in that period.
Norway vs Slovenia Prediction
Løvene registered just their second win of the year in their previous outing and will look to build on that form. They have won four of their last six home games in the Nations League, keeping three clean sheets in the six games played. Interestingly, they have won four out of the last games played against the visitors at home, keeping four clean sheets.
Martin Odegaard is a key absentee for the hosts, as he is nursing an ankle injury suffered in the international break last month. Haaland will take over the captain's armband for this match.
The visitors returned to winning ways after six games last time around across all competitions and friendlies and scored three goals in a match for the first time this year in that win. They are winless in their last four away games in the Nations League, though three have ended in draws.
Head coach Matjaž Kek has a few absentees as Jon Gorenc Stanković, Žan Karničnik, and David Brekalo were left out of the initial squad due to injuries while Sandi Lovrić and Tomi Horvat dropped out last week.
Both teams have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their campaign and, considering their recent history, a low-scoring draw will likely ensue.
Prediction: Norway 1-1 Slovenia
Norway vs Slovenia Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Benjamin Sesko to score or assist any time - Yes