Estonia v Slovakia

Estonia vs Slovakia Preview

Estonia will be hoping they can transfer their recent results in the Baltic Cup into this upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign when they play their opening game in Group 1 at home against Slovakia at the A. Le Coq Arena with the hosts winning the mini tournament, while Slovakia will have been encouraged by their recent showing at the Euro 2024 finals, reaching the round of last 16.

Estonia thumped the Faroe Islands 4-1 in the semi-finals of the Baltic Cup before claiming the crown after beating Lithuania on penalties after the scores were level at 1-1 after normal time, but confidence may still be fragile as the hosts had previously failed to win any of their preceding 14 internationals in all competitions.

To make matters worse, Estonia had been handed no fewer than 12 defeats within this miserable stretch of results which does not fill one with much confidence that Jürgen Henn's side can produce a positive result here against Slovakia despite holding supposed home advantage at their A. Le Coq Arena.

Not that home advantage has been kind to Estonia as the hosts have managed to capture just one win in their last six games, slipping to four defeats in the process as they have been handed losses by the likes of Belgium, Sweden, Azerbaijan and Austria respectively.

Slovakia produced a solid and promising campaign in the recent Euro 2024 tournament as the visitors held their won in Group E which consisted of the likes of Romania, Belgium and Ukraine in what was arguably a ‘group of death' which resulted in being a desperately tight affair with all four nations finishing on four points apiece.

Slovakia opened their account with a 1-0 victory over a lacklustre Belgium outfit before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ukraine but Francesco Calzona's side steadied the ship by claiming a point in a 1-1 draw with Romania in their final game of the group stage to send Slovakia through to the knockout stages.

A 2-1 loss to England in extra-time was certainly no disgrace in the round of last 16 and having lost just three of their previous 11 internationals in all competitions whilst picking up six wins in the process, Slovakia look well placed to grab all three points here on Thursday night.

Notable wins within this recent period include victories over Iceland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Wales and Belgium, so Estonia shouldn't cause too many problems for the visitors in this one.

Estonia v Slovakia Verdict

Indeed, Slovakia have won both of the previous two meetings against Estonia in 1-0 and 2-1 victories respectively and the visitors should ease to another victory here at the A. Le Coq Arena.

Therefore, our main bet will be Slovakia win @ 1.54

Other side bets worth considering:

Slovakia win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.62

Correct Score: Slovakia 2-1 @ 9.00