Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Belarus vs. Slovakia - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 1 June 2022, 11:13
Belarus and Slovakia will kick off the new UEFA Nations League campaign on Friday, when they square off in Serbia.

The visitors find themselves in League C after their relegation last term, while Belarus will again aim for promotion after just falling short last time around.

Match preview

Belarus' push to rise to League B in the UEFA Nations League in the 2020 campaign went down to the final day, as they topped the group after five games with three wins and 10 points.

They headed into the last game against Albania, with the winner sealing top spot, and the White Wings fell to a narrow defeat away from home, as Max Ebong's 80th-minute goal was not enough to trigger a turnaround after a Sokol Cikalleshi brace and a Rey Manaj goal had their hosts 3-2 up.

That saw Georgy Kondratiev's men drop from top spot and miss out on promotion by a point, before they had to endure a tough World Cup Qualifying campaign, picking up just three points from eight outings.

The White Wings most recently returned to action in March with a pair of international friendlies against India and Bahrain, and they were able to put consecutive victories together, firstly triumphing 3-0 in Riffa before Andrey Solovey hit the only goal in a 1-0 win over the latter.

They will now look to begin the new continental term in a positive manner with what would be an impressive win to kickstart their bid to rise to the second tier of the Nations League this time around.

Their visitors, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back after their relegation and kick off with a victory in Serbia.

Slovakia had a tough Nations League campaign in 2020, beginning life in group B with defeats to Czech Republic and Scotland and a loss and a draw against Israel.

A 1-0 win over Scotland kept them in contention to survive on the final day, but they went on to lose the reverse fixture against Czech Republic, dropping to League C as a result, before they fell short in World Cup Qualifying.

Two draws and a defeat left them unable to catch second-placed Russia, before Stefan Tarkovic's men were at least able to finish on a high with a 6-0 thrashing of Malta as Ondrej Duda hit a hat-trick alongside a brace from Albert Rusnak and a Vernon De Marco goal.

Now on the back of 2-0 win away at Finland in a friendly in March, and coming in as favourites, the Falcons will look to begin the new campaign on the front foot with a positive result.

Belarus Nations League form:

Belarus form (all competitions):

Slovakia Nations League form:

Slovakia form (all competitions):

Team News

Belarus are unable to call on key forwards Vitaly Lisakovich and Maksim Skavysh, both of whom are absent from the international squad.

Andrey Solovey should again lead the line as a result, having netted his second goal for the White Wings in his sixth cap against Bahrain in March.

Pavel Sedko will also play an important attacking role, likely venturing forward from the midfield.

Slovakia will be captained by Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar, who has turned out 53 times for the national team.

He could again partner David Hancko at the heart of the defensive line, with Hertha Berlin right-back Peter Pekarik boasts plenty of international experience.

Juraj Kucka, who recently announced his departure from Watford, should continue to operate in the engine room, while Ondrej Duda is a major threat going forward.

Belarus possible starting lineup:

Pavlyuchenko; Shvyatsow, Yudenkov, Palyakow; Pyachenin, Selyava, Yablonsky, Ebong, Bakhar; Sedko; Solovey

Slovakia possible starting lineup:

Rodak; Pekarik, Hancko, Skriniar, Valjent; Lobotka, Kucka; Duda, Hrosovsky, Rusnak; Weiss

We say: Belarus 0-2 Slovakia

Previews by email

Top News

5 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Outgoing Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has admitted it has been a "very tough" week after he was recently appointed Man United's new head coach. 5 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a positive update on Erling Haaland's fitness ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Inter Milan are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid-linked Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham substitute Harry Wilson scored twice in stoppage time to help Marco Silva's side come from behind and beat West London rivals Brentford 2-1 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest are reportedly ready to make an official approach for a Bayern Munich forward during the January transfer window. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hoping to endear himself to the Manchester United faithful with victory over their biggest enemies, Ruben Amorim and Sporting Lisbon host Manchester City in Tuesday's Champions League clash. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Taking to the Anfield touchline nearly two decades on from his success as a Liverpool player, Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso takes the Bundesliga champions to Merseyside for Tuesday's intriguing Champions League battle. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it three wins in this season's Champions League when they welcome Italian giants AC Milan to Bernabeu on Tuesday night. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League debutants Brest will endeavour to preserve their unbeaten status in the 2024-25 league phase when they face Sparta Prague at epet ARENA on Wednesday night. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still searching for their first points in the Champions League, Red Bull Salzburg travel to the Netherlands to take on Feyenoord at De Kuip on Wednesday night. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to be without six players for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be looking to win their third successive game in the Champions League when they travel to Serbia to take on Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona make the trip to Serbia to take on Red Star Belgrade at the Rajko Mitic Stadium for their fourth fixture in the 2024-25 Champions League on Wednesday night. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have confirmed that Edu has resigned from his position as sporting director after five years in the Emirates offices. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has offered his reaction to Mohamed Salah's mysterious social media post after the Reds' 2-1 comeback win over Brighton & Hove Albion. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Matchday four of the Europa League gets underway early on Wednesday, when Besiktas welcome Malmo to Istanbul. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have announced their 22-man squad for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon after Erling Haaland suffered an injury scare in Monday's training session. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two underperforming teams, both domestically and on the continent, meet in one of the Champions League's early kick offs on Wednesday, when Shakhtar Donetsk face Young Boys in Gelsenkirchen. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola seemingly remains without five players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League fixture at Sporting Lisbon. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Early-season strugglers Preston North End welcome Championship leaders Sunderland to Deepdale on Wednesday night. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly decided to further assess a knee injury sustained by Cole Palmer in Sunday's fixture at Manchester United. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to record back-to-back wins following a handsome success on the weekend, Coventry City will welcome Derby County to the Coventry Building Society Arena for a Midlands battle in the Championship on Wednesday night. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for two clubs in the Premier League. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing a midfielder in January amid links to AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnders. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will be seeking a first win on the continent in over a year when they welcome PAOK to Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday night. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly been left to question Vinicius Jr's commitment levels amid links to Manchester United and Chelsea. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly prepared to enter a 'poisonous' culture at the club. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to continue impressive unbeaten streaks at the top end of the Championship table, Millwall and Leeds United will square off at The Den on Wednesday. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to extend a flawless start to life at Europe's top table, Champions League leaders Aston Villa will tackle Belgian champions Club Brugge on Wednesday evening. 4 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Frank Lampard is reportedly being considered as a candidate for a managerial role in Serie A.