The highly anticipated UEFA Euro 2024 Group E clash between Slovakia and Romania will take place on Wednesday, June 26, at the Frankfurt Arena in Germany.
Both teams have had a mixed start to the tournament, with each recording a surprise win in their opening game.
The match promises to be a crucial encounter as both sides vie for a spot in the last 16 of the competition.
Match Preview
Slovakia, led by coach Francesco Calzona, stunned Belgium with a 1-0 victory in their opening match.
However, they suffered a setback in their last game, losing 2-1 to Ukraine. Despite the loss, Slovakia remains in contention for a top spot in the group.
Key players to watch out for include goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, defender Milan Škriniar, and striker Ivan Schranz, who has scored two goals in the tournament so far.
Romania, on the other hand, has been one of the surprise packages of the tournament.
Coach Edward Iordănescu’s side kicked off their campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Ukraine.
However, they were unable to find the back of the net in their second match, losing 2-0 to Belgium.
Romania’s squad boasts talented players such as goalkeeper Florin Niță, midfielder Nicolae Stanciu, and forward Denis Draguş.
Slovakia’s recent form stands at LWWWDL, with their last five matches including a win against Belgium, a loss to Ukraine, and a mix of results in their previous friendlies.
Romania’s form, on the other hand, is LWDDLD, with their last five matches featuring a win over Ukraine, a loss to Belgium, and a series of draws and losses in their warm-up games.
Head to Head
The two teams have played 11 times across competitions, except the results of the erstwhile Czechoslovakia team.
Romania leads the head-to-head record with 5 wins, while Slovakia has only managed 1 victory.
Their most recent meeting was a friendly in August 2013, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Prediction
Both Slovakia and Romania have shown impressive attacking intent in the tournament so far.
The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams eager to secure a win that could potentially secure them a top spot in the group.
Given the importance of the match and the tight nature of Group E, a draw seems like a plausible outcome.
However, early goals have been a feature for both teams, and a 1-1 draw is favored over a goalless draw.
Betting Tips
Match Result: Draw
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals
Both Teams to Score: Yes
First Goalscorer: Ivan Schranz (Slovakia)
The draw seems like a safe bet, given the high stakes of the match and the tight nature of Group E.
With both teams showing attacking intent, a high-scoring game is expected, making the over 2.5 goals and both teams to score bets attractive options.
Ivan Schranz, who has already scored two goals in the tournament, is a good choice for the first goalscorer bet.