Slovenia vs Norway Prediction 14.11.2024 | Nations League

• Competition: UEFA Nations League 
• Date: Thursday, 14th, November 2024
• Kickoff: 19:45 UK / 20:45 CEST
• Venue: Stadion Stozice (Ljubljana)

An intriguing UEFA Nations League encounter awaits at Stadion Stozice, where Slovenia will welcome Norway on Thursday for the fifth round of League B Group 3 action.

After succumbing to a heavy 0-3 loss against Haaland's Norway in their first UNL outing last month, the Slovenians responded immediately by claiming all the spoils during their visit to Kazakhstan, thanks to Mlakar's solitary winner. At this moment, Matjaz Kek's squad occupies third place, but they are tied with the top two teams on points (7), which keeps them firmly in the race for direct promotion to League A, though top-class displays in the remaining two Group 3 matches will be essential for them to reach their goals.

It's undeniable that Norway's men's football team boasts the most talented generation ever, but unfortunately, their quest for a first appearance at a major international tournament has been ongoing for two decades. Despite being without the services of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, the Scandinavian team knows they hold their fate in their hands in Group 3, meaning securing maximum points in the remaining two November matches will ensure their entry into the competition's top tier.

Slovenia vs Norway Betting Tips: UNDER 2.5

Despite Norway sitting in the driver’s seat in Group 3, beating Slovenia will be far from a walk in the park, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the points are split between them in the end. Given that it makes sense for neither team to want to ruin all their hard work up to this point in the final moments, we expect both sides to adopt a cautious defensive approach with minimal risk in attack, limiting the chances to score and keeping the game tight. The Stozice Stadium has become a true nightmare for visiting teams, as no side has managed to take all the points from this venue in the last two years, and among those who left empty-handed was Norway, who suffered a 1-2 defeat to Slovenia in the latest Nations League edition. Simply put, finding a winning formula on this pitch is no easy task, so we expect Haaland and co to struggle breaking through Slovenia's sturdy defensive line, hinting that a tight contest could be on the horizon.