Slovenia have a fantastic opportunity to continue their perfect start to their Euro 2024 qualification campaign when they host San Marino at Stozice Stadium on Sunday evening.
The hosts have not conceded a goal against the visitors in the five previous meetings between the two sides, most recently running out 4-0 winners in a friendly back in October 2020.
Match preview
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Slovenia are undefeated in their last seven matches as a result of a strong finish to their UEFA Nations League group, defeating Norway and drawing away at Sweden to avoid relegation from League B.
After impressing at times in the Nations League, Kekci are now tasked with qualifying for the Euros for just the second time, last reaching the tournament back in 2000, exiting at the group stage.
The last time the side now managed by Matjaz Kek managed to reach a major tournament was in 2010, but they again could not make it out of their groups, despite a spirited showing, picking up four points in a World Cup group containing England, USA and Algeria.
In friendly matches against Romania and Montenegro back in November, Slovenia picked up two wins, and they managed to continue that form into their first qualifying match for the Euros, picking up an important 2-1 win away at Kazakhstan.
Maksim Samorodov opened the scoring for the hosts, but second-half goals from David Brekalo and Zan Vipotnik secured all three points for the visitors in the first ever meeting between the two sides.
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Given that San Marino have a population of around 33,000, it is no surprise they have never managed to qualify for a major international tournament, currently sitting bottom of the FIFA rankings, in 211th place.
La Serenissima have never won a competitive fixture, with a 1-0 friendly victory against Liechtenstein in 2004 remaining their sole victory, but since the UEFA Nations League was founded, they have, at the very least, managed to have some more competitive games.
While they did not manage to pick up any points in their most recent Nations League group, Fabrizio Constantini's side went close in a 1-0 defeat away at Malta last June, and they have also recorded some positive results in friendly matches.
San Marino drew 1-1 away at Saint Lucia in November, with Lorenzo Lazzari firing home a stoppage-time equaliser, the nation's first goal since Filippo Fabbri managed to score against Lithuania in March 2022.
Last time out, La Serenissima thought they had scored against Northern Ireland, but Nicola Nanni's second-half effort was ruled out for offside, meaning their opponents held on for an otherwise routine 2-0 victory.
Team News
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Miha Blazic was forced off after less than five minutes against Kazakhstan, with the Slovenia centre-back suffering what appeared to be a hamstring injury, so Brekalo is likely to slot in next to Jaka Bijol in defence.
After being introduced as a second-half substitute last time out, Vipotnik netted a late winner for Kekci, so Kek may choose to reward the striker with a start, partnering Benjamin Sesko in attack.
While his goal ultimately did not stand, Nanni displayed his attacking threat against Northern Ireland on Thursday, but San Marino manager Constantini may have to do without the striker, as he was withdrawn late on in the game after suffering an injury.
In the 22-year-old's absence, veteran striker Matteo Vitaioli could come into the attack, partnering Filippo Berardi, who managed to score La Serenissima's only goal in their Euro 2020 qualification campaign.
Slovenia possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Balkovec; Stojanovic, Cerin, Stankovic, Verbic; Sesko, Vipotnik
San Marino possible starting lineup:
Benedettini; Fabbri, Di Maio, Rossi, Palazzi; Battistini, Golinucci, Capicchioni, Lazzari; Vitaioli, Berardi
We say: Slovenia 5-0 San Marino
Slovenia have won every one of their previous meetings with San Marino, and there is seemingly no real chance of that run coming to an end on Sunday, particularly given how well they played in the second half against Kazakhstan.
Kekci have always won by at least a four-goal margin when they have faced La Serenissima at home in the past, and so we expect them to win by a similar scoreline this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
