Kazakhstan Vs Slovenia

Both Kazakhstan and Slovenia suffered heavy defeats in their midweek UEFA Nations League encounters, and now both will be eager to bounce back when they face each other this Sunday. The stakes are high in this League B Group 3 fixture, as both teams are hovering dangerously close to relegation. Currently trailing behind group leaders Norway and Austria, Kazakhstan and Slovenia must find a way to turn their fortunes around.

With three matches played, the Nations League campaign has reached its halfway point, and the threat of relegation looms large for Kazakhstan and Slovenia. Norway and Austria are firmly in control at the top of League B Group 3, leaving Kazakhstan and Slovenia to battle it out in the lower half of the standings. Both teams have struggled to find consistency in their performances, and as a result, they are under immense pressure to secure points in their upcoming clash.

Kazakhstan’s journey in the UEFA Nations League has been a mixed one. After earning promotion from the competition’s third tier in 2022, the team entered League B with hopes of building on that success. In their first two matches in September, they showed resilience by holding Norway to a goalless draw, demonstrating that they could compete at this higher level. However, their momentum quickly faltered, as they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Slovenia in Ljubljana.

Benjamin Sesko, the rising star of RB Leipzig, was the architect of Kazakhstan’s downfall in that match, scoring a hat-trick that left the Hawks with just one point from two games. The comprehensive nature of that defeat underscored the challenges Kazakhstan faces in this group, as they struggle to adapt to the higher level of competition.

Stanislav Cherchesov, Kazakhstan’s head coach, has seen his team flirt with relegation in the UEFA Nations League, and their most recent performance has done little to alleviate those concerns. Thursday’s trip to Austria resulted in a 4-0 drubbing, a defeat that was as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Kazakhstan’s defensive frailties were exposed, as they conceded 29 shots on goal while managing just one-third of possession.

For a team that had enjoyed some success in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, posting six wins from 10 matches, this recent string of results is a significant blow to Kazakhstan's morale. Their confidence has undoubtedly taken a hit ahead of Sunday’s clash with Slovenia in Pavlodar, and the threat of automatic relegation is now a very real possibility.

As Kazakhstan prepare for their second meeting with Slovenia in this Nations League campaign, the historical record between the two sides does not inspire confidence. Last month, Slovenia handed Kazakhstan a 3-0 defeat, and their head-to-head record is equally discouraging. During the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Kazakhstan also lost both of their matches against Slovenia. This suggests that the Hawks will need to dig deep to break their losing streak against their Sunday opponents.

Like Kazakhstan, Slovenia began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a measure of optimism. They opened their account with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Austria, a result that suggested Matjaz Kek's men were capable of competing for a top spot in Group 3. Slovenia then followed that up with a convincing 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their second match, which briefly propelled them into a more favorable position in the standings.

However, their campaign has since taken a turn for the worse. In midweek, Slovenia suffered a demoralizing 3-0 loss to Norway, a result that highlighted the growing gap between them and the group leaders. Erling Haaland, Norway’s talismanic striker, was the star of the show, scoring twice to guide his team to victory. The Manchester City forward opened the scoring early on after Slovenia’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak failed to hold onto a stinging shot from Antonio Nusa, allowing Haaland to pounce. Haaland’s second goal of the match made him Norway’s all-time top scorer, cementing his place in the history books.

Struggles on the Road

Slovenia’s inability to secure points on the road has been a significant factor in their recent struggles. Their midweek defeat to Norway extended their winless run away from home in the UEFA Nations League to five matches, a streak that includes three draws and two losses. This poor form away from home is a cause for concern, particularly as they prepare for a difficult trip to Pavlodar to face Kazakhstan.

In the 2022-23 edition of the UEFA Nations League, Slovenia finished third in their group, behind Serbia and Norway, narrowly avoiding a relegation playoff. However, if they are unable to reverse their fortunes in this campaign, they may not be so lucky. A fourth-place finish in Group 3 would see them automatically relegated back to League C, a prospect that Slovenia will be desperate to avoid.

Can Slovenia Stay in the Mix for Promotion?

Despite their recent setbacks, Slovenia are not entirely out of the running for promotion to League A. They remain in contention for a playoff spot, but their current position in the group standings leaves little room for error. Sunday’s match against Kazakhstan is a must-win if Slovenia are to keep their promotion hopes alive, and anything less than three points could spell disaster for Kek’s men. With the group stage action wrapping up next month, Slovenia know that a slip-up on Sunday could result in a costly relegation battle instead of a promotion playoff.

Kazakhstan’s Yan Vorogovskiy has been one of the bright spots in an otherwise difficult campaign for the Hawks. The versatile midfielder, who currently plies his trade in Russia, will be crucial to Kazakhstan’s hopes of securing a positive result against Slovenia. Vorogovskiy’s ability to break up play and contribute to both defense and attack will be vital if Kazakhstan are to avoid another heavy defeat.

Jan Oblak, Slovenia’s star goalkeeper, will need to be at his best on Sunday if his team is to come away with a result. Despite Slovenia’s recent struggles, Oblak remains one of the finest goalkeepers in European football, and his shot-stopping ability could be crucial in keeping Kazakhstan at bay. The Atletico Madrid stopper will be keen to make amends for his error in the defeat to Norway and will be looking to lead his side to victory in Pavlodar.

Kazakhstan’s recent performances have been marred by defensive lapses, particularly in their midweek defeat to Austria. The Hawks will need to tighten up at the back if they are to have any chance of taking points from Slovenia. Cherchesov is likely to set up his team in a more compact and disciplined formation, looking to limit the space available to Slovenia’s attacking players. Kazakhstan will also need to make better use of their limited possession, as they cannot afford to let Slovenia dominate the ball as Austria did on Thursday.

Slovenia, on the other hand, will be looking to exploit Kazakhstan’s defensive vulnerabilities. Matjaz Kek’s side have shown that they are capable of creating chances, and they will be hoping to put Kazakhstan’s defense under sustained pressure. With players like Benjamin Sesko and Josip Ilicic in their ranks, Slovenia have the firepower to cause problems for Kazakhstan’s backline. If they can create space and get their attackers into dangerous positions, Slovenia will fancy their chances of scoring goals.

As Kazakhstan and Slovenia prepare to face off in Pavlodar on Sunday, both teams find themselves in a precarious position. With relegation from League B a real possibility, neither side can afford to slip up. For Kazakhstan, a win would provide a much-needed boost to their survival hopes, while Slovenia must take three points to keep their promotion playoff aspirations alive. In a match where the stakes couldn’t be higher, both teams will be desperate to avoid another costly defeat.