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Slovenia will take on Cyprus on Thursday, 4 June, with both nations facing a summer of disappointment away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neither side performed well enough in qualifying to make it this summer's tournament, but both will be hoping to find some form ahead of the next UEFA Nations League campaign in September.
Read our Slovenia vs Cyprus prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Slovenia vs Cyprus key stats
- Cyprus haven't beaten a nation ranked inside the world's top 100 since 2022.
- Slovenia have won each of their last four matches against teams ranked outside the world's top 100.
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in five of Slovenia's last six matches.
Slovenia vs Cyprus preview: A match to build confidence
| Slovenia | vs | Cyprus |
|---|---|---|
| 58th | FIFA Ranking | 126th |
| Jan Oblak (82) | Most Caps | Grigoris Kastanos (78) |
| Andraz Sporar (12) | Most Goals | Ioannis Pittas (11) |
| 644 | Total Caps | 597 |
| 46 | Total Goals | 46 |
| 3 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
Both of these teams have a greater chance of qualifying for Euro 2028 than they did for the 2026 World Cup, just purely based on the fact that there are more places up for grabs for European sides. Therefore, building some confidence before the Nations League and Euro qualifying begins feels important.
For Slovenia in particular, Euro 2028 feels like a realistic goal, but they will need to improve on their World Cup qualifying performances. In their qualifying group, they failed to win a single game, a run of results which ultimately cost Matjaz Kek his job.
His successor, Bostjan Cesar, enjoyed a mixed start to his tenure in March. He oversaw a narrow 1-0 loss away at Hungary before leading Slovenia to their first win in nine months against Montenegro.
Cesar is still getting to know his players, which means we can expect plenty of experimentation against Cyprus. He is yet to see Benjamin Sesko in action, and that will continue this week as the Manchester United striker continues to nurse a shin injury.
As for Cyprus, World Cup qualification was realistically never anything more than a pipe dream. Having said that, they did at least manage to record two victories, albeit against San Marino.
Cyprus will know that their most likely route to Euro 2028 is through the UEFA Nations League, which is set to begin again in September. Their League C group contains Montenegro, Latvia and Armenia, and they will fancy themselves significantly more in all three of those match-ups if they can pick up a result against Slovenia, a group B outfit.
Akis Mantzios, who has recently renewed his contract until 2029, could also use this week's fixtures as a chance for experimentation. Although, he would love to be able to secure Cyprus' first win over a top 100 nation in more than four years, so could take the match more seriously than his opposite number.
Mantzios has shown a preference towards young players so far in his tenure and that is expected to continue on Thursday.
Slovenia vs Cyprus form guide & betting tips
| Slovenia | vs | Cyprus |
|---|---|---|
D
L
D
L
W
|
Form |
W
L
L
L
W
|
| 4 | Goals For | 9 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 9 |
D
W
W
L
W
|
International Friendly form |
W
D
L
L
W
|
Whispers Predicts: Slovenia 2-0 Cyprus
Cyprus have a mental block when it comes to facing stronger nations, while Slovenia have proven in recent times that they are strong against teams ranked lower than 90 in the world.. Slovenia to win to nil has been best priced at 21/20.
Fewer than three goals have been scored in two of the last three H2H meetings between the two nations. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 4/5..
Zan Vipotnik scored twice for Slovenia in his most recent international appearance. Vipotnik to score anytime has been priced at 6/4.
> Slovenia to win to nil at 21/20 (2.05) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable
> Zan Vipotnik to score anytime at 6/4 (2.50) | Likelihood: Possible