Neither Slovenia nor North Macedonia could even muster a goal on matchday one of the UEFA Nations League (UNL), an unfortunate theme which is becoming all too common for the visitors.
Match News and Current Form
Slovenia opened their third successive League B campaign with a 0-0 stalemate against Scotland in Ljubljana, a result which raised further doubts over the direction they’re heading in. One win in 11 matches (D6, L4) is hardly the form of a side with any realistic ambitions of promotion to the top table of the UNL, nor is their form on Slovenian soil, as they’ve won just one home game in 90 minutes since September 2024 (D5, L2). Those five draws in regulation time came across their last six outings in Ljubljana, and another could leave them battling relegation for the second successive campaign given three of their final four UNL games come on the road.
North Macedonia’s maiden game in League B was rather anticlimactic as they were soundly beaten 3-0 at home to Switzerland, stretching their winless run to nine matches (D5, L4). The Lynxes mustered a mere two shots in the entire game, and struggling in the final third is nothing new for a side who’ve now failed to score in each of their last five matches - their longest such run since the country was re-named North Macedonia in 2019. Failing to score in five of their last six away games (D3, L3) is hardly likely to fuel belief they can respond here, nor will the fact they last beat a current FIFA top-100 ranked nation in March 2022.
Head-to-Head History
Slovenia have only beaten North Macedonia once across seven historical H2Hs (D2, L4). North Macedonia’s first away game after their country changed name was on this very ground (1-1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Seven of Slovenia’s last nine games featured under 2.5 goals.
Slovenia haven’t scored a goal before the 40th minute since November 2024.
Only one of North Macedonia’s last ten away games saw both teams score.
North Macedonia conceded exactly once in each of their three away H2Hs.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Andraž Šporar netted Slovenia’s first goal of the game on his last five international scoring appearances, while six of his last seven goals for the national team arrived before the hour mark. Bojan Miovski was the last North Macedonia player to score but may have to be patient to break his nation’s duck here having netted his last seven goals after half-time.
Slovenia’s Vanja Drkušić picked up an injury against Scotland, but North Macedonia seem to have come through the Switzerland game unscathed.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Given Slovenia’s penchant for drawing home games and North Macedonia’s for not scoring, perhaps a 0-0 draw is a punt worth taking.
Author: Chris Wilson
