Slovenia continue their preparations for Euro 2024 by squaring off against Bulgaria in an international friendly on Saturday afternoon.
At a time when the home side are looking forward to a long-awaited another appearance in a major tournament, Bulgaria's eyes are on the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign in September.
Match preview
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The wait that Slovenia have had to qualify for another major appearance has gone under the radar, with their most recent outing coming all the way back at the 2010 World Cup.
However, between 2000 and 2010, they have posted just one win in nine games - leading to three group-stage exits - yet they head into this tournament with far more optimism.
Just two defeats have been posted in 20 matches - away in Finland and Denmark respectively - while they have prevailed in eight of their most 10 recent outings.
Included in that is a 2-0 triumph over Portugal in March, a victory which was backed up with a hard-fought success over Armenia on Tuesday.
Matjaz Kek is aware that his players will need to step up a level against Denmark, Serbia and England, but the confidence is there to make a statement in their first European Championship appearance since 2000.
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Opponents Bulgaria are far from the European dark horse that they used to be, but there have been signs of progress under Ilian Iliev since November.
The newly-appointed head coach has put together a run of one win and four draws, with that record an impressive feat when four successive defeats had come under his predecessor.
Although the one success came against Tanzania, the draws have been posted against Hungary, Serbia, Azerbaijan and Romania, three of whom have qualified for Euro 2024.
Nevertheless, the downside is that Bulgaria are without a win over European opposition since November 2022, with that coming against Cyprus in a friendly.
Bulgaria have never suffered defeat against Slovenia in four games; the only time they have failed to win was in a UEFA Nations League fixture in 2018 which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Team News
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Having remained as an unused substitute last time out, Benjamin Sesko is expected to lead the line for Slovenia.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak is another of several senior players who should return, with David Brekalo also potentially return to the backline.
Kek could possibly switch to the 4-4-2 formation that got the better of Portugal in March, depending on what he has in mind for the first Euro 2024 fixture.
Iliev may be prepared to name the same Bulgaria team that started against Romania having held the Euro 2024 participants to a goalless draw on away territory.
If any alterations are made, Radoslav Kirilov could be deployed in the final third alongside Georgi Minchev, while Simeon Petrov may replace veteran Zhivko Atanasov in the centre of defence.
Slovenia possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza; Stankovic, Cerin, Kurtic; Sporar, Sesko, Mlakar
Bulgaria possible starting lineup:
Dyulgerov; Turitsov, Petkov, S.Petrov, H. Petrov; Panayotov, Kostadinov; Kirilov, Krastev, Despodov; Minchev
We say: Slovenia 2-1 Bulgaria
Although Slovenia were not exactly at their best last time out, we cannot ignore their form heading into this tournament. With that in mind, they should come through with yet another victory, potentially in a competitive contest against opposition who may be able to trouble them at times.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
