Nations League | League B

Nov 14, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Stadion Stozice

Sloveniavs.Norway

Match preview

After Norway and Slovenia moved clear of Austria and Kazakhstan in September, with the Slovenians' star striker Benjamin Sesko scoring four times in four days, the Austrians came back into the reckoning for top spot with two wins last month, setting up an intriguing finale.

All three teams have seven points with two Group 3 games left to play. Slovenia reached that total by beating Kazakhstan 1-0 in October.

Matjaz Kek's team had previously lost 3-0 to Norway, who were inspired by Erling Haaland. They only managed two shots on target, compared to Norway's 14 at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium.

Slovenia came third last time out in the Nations League, in another group featuring Norway. If they come third again this year, they'll have to play in a relegation playoff under UEFA's new expanded format.

The team in first place gets to play in League A next time around, while second place has to play in a promotion playoff. So, it's still anyone's guess what will happen when the teams meet this week.

Already a legend in Norwegian football, Erling Haaland will have great memories of last month's meeting with Slovenia. The Manchester City striker scored an early goal and went on to become his nation's all-time top scorer midway through the second half.

Haaland had already scored the winning goal against Austria in Oslo, but Norway's comfortable progress through Group 3 was unexpectedly ended by a heavy defeat in the reverse fixture at Raiffeisen Arena.

The Lions were on level terms at half-time thanks to Alexander Sorloth's goal shortly before the break. However, they were ultimately tamed by Ralf Rangnick's men, who went on to win 5-1 following a flurry of three goals in 12 minutes.

With seven points on the board, though, Stale Solbakken's side are still in with a shout for top spot. They could soon be mixing with Europe's elite in League A.

They'll have to cope without their influential captain, though, as Martin Ødegaard has been sent back to London to prioritise his fitness following an injury sustained during September's Nations League fixtures.

Recent Performance

Slovenia Nations League form:DWLW

Slovenia form (all competitions):DLDWLW

Norway Nations League form:DWWL

Norway form (all competitions):WLDWWL

Team News

Slovenia's Jan Oblak is the captain of the 25-man squad for the hosts, and the Atlético Madrid goalkeeper is set to start behind a defence led by Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol.

The latter's clubmate Sandi Lovric is back in the squad after an injury that ruled him out of last month's games and could play in central midfield.

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko will be looking to add to his 11 goals for club and country so far this season, with Andraz Sporerja favourite to join him up front. Veteran forward Josip Iličić may be restricted to a substitute role.

Meanwhile, Norway's hopes of having Martin Odegaard back for their Nations League finale have been dashed. Despite a recent return to Arsenal's starting XI, manager Stale Solbakken has said that his captain will not be risked.

Erling Haaland, who has scored 34 goals in 37 senior internationals so far, will therefore have to carry the team even more. Oblak's Atleti teammate Alexander Sorloth should beat Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Jorgen Strand Larsen to partner Haaland on Thursday.

The latter's Man City colleague Oscar Bobb is still out, along with Hugo Vetlesen, Kristoffer Ajer, David Moller Wolfe and first-choice goalkeeper Orjan Nyland – who recently had a bad knee injury – so there are a few players missing from the squad.

Possible starting lineup

Slovenia possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Janza, Drkusic, Bijol, Balkovec; Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Sesko, Sporar

Norway possible starting lineup:

Selvik; Ryerson, Ostigard, Gregersen, Pedersen; Berg, Thorsby, Berge; Sorloth, Nusa; Haaland