1 week Ago
A thrilling conclusion to League B Group 3 is in prospect 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 final matchday , a win for either side would boost hopes of reaching the UEFA Nations League 's elite tier. © Imago 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 have seven points with two Group 3 games remaining, and Slovenia moved onto 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 an 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 another group featuring Norway, but the same outcome this year would mean facing a relegation playoff under UEFA's new expanded format.
Top spot seals automatic entry to League A for the next edition, while second earns a promotion playoff, so their destiny still remains very much in the balance heading towards this week's action. © Imago Already assured of legendary status in Norwegian football, Erling Haaland will have fond memories of last month's meeting with Slovenia, when the Manchester City striker drilled home an early opener before going on to become his nation's all-time top scorer midway through the second half. Haaland had previously bagged a late winner to beat Austria in Oslo, but Norway's serene progress through Group 3 was unexpectedly shattered by heavily losing the reverse fixture at Raiffeisen Arena.
Having gone in at half time on level terms, thanks to an Alexander Sorloth equaliser shortly before the break, the Lions 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 the mix for top spot, and they might soon be mixing with Europe's elite in League A. They will have to cope without their influential captain, however, as Martin Odegaard has been sent back to London in order to prioritise his fitness following an injury sustained during September's Nations League fixtures.
© Imago Slovenia skipper Jan Oblak leads a 25-man squad for the hosts, and the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper is set to start behind a defence helmed by Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol. The latter's clubmate Sandi Lovric is back in the fold following an injury that ruled him out of last month's games and could feature in central midfield. RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko will aim to add to his 11 goals for club and country so far this season, with Andraz Sporar favourite to join him up front; veteran forward Josip Ilicic may be restricted to a substitute role.
Meanwhile, Norway's hopes of having Martin Odegaard back for their Nations League finale were dashed when manager Stale Solbakken declared that 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 shoulder even more of a burden; Oblak's Atleti teammate Alexander Sorloth should see off competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Jorgen Strand Larsen to partner Haaland on Thursday. The latter's Man City colleague Oscar Bobb is still ruled out, joining Hugo Vetlesen, Kristoffer Ajer, David Moller Wolfe and first-choice goalkeeper Orland Nyland - who recently suffered a serious knee injury - on the sidelines.
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 While Norway swatted Slovenia aside when they last met, a subsequent thumping by 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 before 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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