Russia vs. Slovakia 10/8/21 UEFA World Cup Qualifications Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Russia is hosting Slovakia at Kazan Arena in round 7 of Group H in the UEFA World Cup Qualifications. Russia is in 2^nd place with 13 points, and they have been solid on both ends so far. Slovakia is in 3^rd place, but they still have a chance at getting to that 2^nd place, or maybe even 1^st place.

Russia was solid last month in these qualifications, and they are now undefeated in their last 3 games. Russia has scored 4 goals during that stretch, and they were able to keep 3 clean sheets. In their last game against Malta, Russia was the better team with 53% of ball possession, 7 shots on goal, 12 corner kicks, 3 big chances created, and a decent 81% of the correct passes. Even though they were playing against Malta at home, Russia has scored only 2 goals, but a win is a win, I guess. Dzyuba has scored 3 goals for Russia so far, while Fernandes has added 2 goals. Once again, Russia will be without Dzyuba in this cycle, but they still have some good players who can fill in and score a few goals. Russia is close to the World Cup, but they will still need a few more positive results, and I think they will.

Slovakia wasn’t playing well for a while, and they lost 2^nd spot because of it, but Slovakia has bounced back nicely against Cyprus at home in their last game. Slovakia was dominant in that game with 64% of ball possession, 7 shots on goal, 7 corner kicks, 2 big chances created, and 85% of the correct passes. The first half was tough for Slovakia, but they were able to break through Cyprus’ defense. With 2 second-half goals, Slovakia has won this game 2-0. Slovakia is now 4 points away from 2^nd place, but with a win in this game, they will get within 1 point from Russia, and that is when the adrenaline starts running. The bad thing for Slovakia is their strikers are not producing much, and Skrinar is their leading goalscorer with 2 goals. Slovakia has players from some big clubs all over Europe, but they are in desperate need of a striker, and unfortunately for them, there is no one to fill that position.

Russia still hasn’t lost a home game in these qualifications, and they haven’t lost any of their last 6 home games overall. Slovakia will need to focus on the defense because they don’t have a lot of offense, and for that reason, I think this game will end in a draw.