Slovenia vs. Greece 9/3/20 UEFA Nations League Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Slovenia is welcoming Greece to Stadion Stozice in round 1 in the UEFA Nations League.

Slovenia has been playing hot and cold, and that is what cost them in the Euro Cup qualifications. In their Group G, Slovenia was competing against Poland, Austria, North Macedonia, Israel, and Latvia. Slovenia ended up in 4th place with 14 points, 5 points bellow Austria in second place. Slovenia has scored 16 goals while conceding 11 goals in 10 games. There aren’t many known players in the Slovenian national team, but there is one that is known worldwide, Jan Oblak, one of the best goalkeepers in the world who is playing for Atletico Madrid. Since Matjaz Kek became Slovenia’s head coach back in November of 2018, Slovenia is constantly improving, and I think we will see Slovenia in the next big competition. In their last match against Poland on the road, Slovenia has had 42% of ball possession, 3 shots on goal, 3 corner kicks, and 78% of the correct passes. Slovenia has lost this match 3-2. In the FIFA standings, Slovenia is in 64th place, but they are getting better, and I think we will see Slovenia in the Top 50 soon. This group in the Nations League should be good for Slovenia because all of the teams are of similar quality, and I would dare to say that Slovenia is the best team in this group.

Greece is far from their glory days when they won the Euro Cup, but they were improving before the pandemic, and Greece has 3 wins in their last 3 games. Greece is in 54th place in the FIFA standings. In their last match against Finland at home, Greece was the better team with 58% of ball possession, 7 shots on goal, 9 corner kicks, 3 big chances created, and high 89% of the correct passes. Greece has won this game 2-1. Greece doesn’t have any superstars in their roster, but they have a bunch of players that are good team players, and they will always give their best for their national team. John van’t Schip is Greece’s head coach since July of 2019, and he has 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in his time at the helm. Greece was never an overly attractive team with the attacking firepower, but that seems to be changing with the arrival of the Dutch coach, and I think it’s good. It will be another year or two when we will see Greece getting some of that old glory back, but they are on the right path. Greece didn’t qualify for the Euro Cup next year, but if they continue playing well, we could see Greece in the next World Cup.

Slovenia has never beaten Greece before, but I think they are the better team here. Slovenia has better players, but more importantly, Slovenia has the better goalkeeper, which could tip the balance in their favor. We are getting Slovenia for a nice price at home, and I will take that anytime.