On Thursday night, Kazakhstan hosts Slovenia in the opening game of Group H of qualifying for the 2024 European Championships.
Kazakhstan form guideThe home team goes into this clash on the back of three straight defeats against Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and UAE, conceding at least two goals in each loss. However, Kazakhstan was on a good run of form before the defeats, as they had put together a seven-game unbeaten run in the international game.
Kazakhstan’s recent record in the European Championships is a poor one, as they have lost four of their last five qualifiers while conceding at least two goals in three of their last four qualifiers.
Their recent home record in European Championships qualifying is poor, as they have lost seven of their previous nine qualifiers on home soil. Kazakhstan has also conceded at least two goals in six of those nine games in qualifying.
Slovenia form guideMatjaz Kek’s team are in form heading to Kazakhstan, as the visitors are unbeaten in their last six international games. A 1-0 home win over Montenegro last time out means that Slovenia has now won three of their previous four games.
Slovenia’s recent record in European Championships qualifying has been poor, as they have lost three of their last four matches in qualifiers.
The visitors also have a poor recent away record in qualifying for the European Championships, as they have lost six of their previous nine matches on their travels. That run includes defeat in three of their last four away qualifiers for the European Championships.
What am I backing?Both teams have poor recent records in qualifying for the European Championships. However, I believe Slovenia has slightly more quality and will record a narrow victory in this clash.