The national teams of Israel and Slovenia will face each other during the first match of the season. The last time that both teams faced each other in a competition game was for the European Championship qualification 2003. In the episode you will find a forecast, as well as all the facts and figures for the upcoming game. Kick-off for this game is on Thursday at 20:45.
Israel
IsraelTo clear any questions, the Israeli national team has been a member of UEFA since 1991, allowing them to participate in European qualifications. The Austrian Andreas Herzog has been training the team since August. After being the last 4 Israelis on the sidelines, he is the first foreign coach since 2011. In the newly formed UEFA Nations League could win with 2 wins and 2 defeats the 2nd place in the table behind Scotland and Albania. Thus, the team could hold the so-called third group and rose neither on nor off. The team celebrated both victories in front of their home crowd. Two goals were scored against Scotland and Albania, and only one was caught. For the European Championship qualification, they rightly expect a small chance in a very balanced group with Austria, Poland, Macedonia, Latvia and Slovenia. Because so far, the national team could never qualify for a European Championship. The only time you were represented at a big tournament was the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where you were eliminated in the first round. In preparation they could win with the friendly matches included 4 of the last 5 games. The biggest hope in the team is just the Salzburg top scorer Munas Dabbur. To celebrate the first victory against Slovenia, it will need goals from him. The UEFA World Ranking currently occupies the 92nd place and is thus 29 places behind the Slovenes.
Slovenia
SloveniaThe Slovenes can look back on a disappointing year in 2018. In the UEFA Nations League they had to cope with the 4th place in Group C to relegation to the weakest teams in Europe. Due to the lack of success, the former coach Tomaz Kavcic was dismissed in October last year and it was followed by the new and current coach Matjaz Kek. For the game against Israel, however, will be the first as a national coach. Previously, he successfully coached the Croatian first division side HNK Rijeka for 5 years. The opportunity to travel through a very well-balanced group again to a European Championship you want to use. For the last participation is already 18 years back when you failed in 2000 in the preliminary round against Yugoslavia, Spain and Norway. After all, 2010 was the first ever ever World Cup with Slovenian participation, which remains the biggest success to date. With Jan Oblak, the biggest star stands between the posts. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and regularly guest with his team Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The second star Kevin Kampl is injured due to an injury and thus can not give the very moderate offensive any creative impulses. With only 3 goals in the last 4 games against quite manageable opponents this is the big weakness of the team. For 6 games the fans of the Slovenes are waiting for a complete success of their team. In the world rankings one was passed also last year and occupies at the moment the 63rd rank behind teams like Qatar or Jamaica.
Football Prediction of the Day Israel vs Slovenia
For a home win from Israel, you can expect a very good quota from many bookmakers. Due to the current form, the home advantage and especially the lousy Fom of the Slovenes we can suggest you a tip 1. However, should this be a risk to you we would recommend you a tip under 2.5 goals given the still good odds. With the not very creative offensive ranks of the two teams this is certainly a very probable option.
Bet Tips: Israel
Odds: 2.20
