Slovakia National Football Team

Manager / Stefan Tarkovic
Appointed / October 2020
Captain / Marek Hamsik
Top Scorer in Euro 2020 Qualifiers / 3 players on 3 goals (Bozenik, Hamsik & Kucka)
Top Scorer in Squad (Domestic season 2020-21) / Ivan Schranz, 13 (Jablonec, Czech 1.Liga)
Most Carded in qualifying / Denis Vavro & Marek Hamsik, both 3
Group / E, vs. Poland (14/06/2021), vs. Sweden (18/06/2021), vs. Spain (23/06/2021)

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing *

Slovakia Road to Euro 2020

Slovakia failed to progress through what was a nicely balanced qualification group, finishing beneath Wales and Croatia in Group E. They did find redemption in the Nations League Play-Offs, eking past both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to earn their place here at Euro 2020. They were far from open scorers in qualifying with seven of their 13 goals coming against bottom seeds Azerbaijan, who took a solitary point from the group. They actually replaced their coach in the middle of those Play-Offs, meaning Stefan Tarkovic’s side are one of the trickier sides to predict at this tournament, with their new boss having had less than a year in charge. He has worked as an assistant for Slovakia at the 2016 Euros, and his dour style is likely to mean results are massively key for his future, with performances far from likely to get fans out of their seats.

Slovakia Euro 2020 Squad

It’s a squad seriously lacking in goals, both internationally and at club level, with only three of their squad players registering double figures for their country, none of whom are strikers. Not only is their squad far from laden with goals, it’s an ageing squad, whether that will prove to be a good thing only time will tell though I think it may be the last chance saloon for a lot of the elder statesmen in this Slovakia squad. The midfield three is arguably their strongest area of the park, especially with Inter’s Milan Skriniar yet to totally convince as the heir to Martin Skrtel’s role as leader at the heart of Slovakia’s backline.

Goalkeeper

There are familiar names between the sticks, with Fulham’s Marek Rodak most likely to be Tarkovic’s first-choice after his penalty heroics in the Play-Offs to get here, though neither he nor his main competition, Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka, were regulars in the Premier League. It’s far from ideal but Rodak has shown in the Play-Offs that he doesn’t need maximum game time at club level to have a positive impact at national level. Dominik Greif will be, well, grief-stricken (sorry) to miss out on a spot in the squad, particularly given some quarters tipped him to usurp Rodak as his country’s number one. Lech Gdansk’s Dusan Kuciak will be third-choice for his country, but unlike the rest of his country’s ‘keeper quota he is a regular at club level in Poland.

Defence

Skriniar will be tasked with marshalling a back four in what is far from a reliable back-line. The Inter centre half has excelled in the Serie A season gone by, forming a key part of Inter’s title-winning back three, he’ll have to switch to not only playing with a lesser coach and players, but also a considerable change of shape and mentality. Petar Pekarik and David Hancko are cable full-backs, but it’ll be interesting which one of the centre halves joins Skriniar.

Midfield

Probably the strongest area of the squad, though a little lacking in depth, the midfield three will aim to spring counter attacks, though not specifically through their own energy but rather their guile. Napoli’s Stanislav Lobotka is an energetic presence in front of the back four, with Juraj Kucka and Marek Hamsik almost certainly enjoying their last dance at a major tournament with both in their mid-thirties. Younger options Laszlo Benes and Lukas Haraslin are yet to make their mark in Europe’s top 5 leagues like Kucka and Hamsik, though are steady enough replacements if weary legs give out.

Attack

The front three, though in truth it will be a lone striker (possibly even a false nine) flanked by two industrious wide men, is far from nailed down. Goals are at a premium up top with Michail Duris and Robert Bozenik combining for three league goals last campaign and Ivan Schranz, the third striking option at Tarkovic’s disposal did manage a more respectable 13 goals for Jablonec last season. The scorer of the Play-Off winner, Duris, will likely be given the striking reins though I wouldn’t be backing him to smash in a flurry of goals at Euro 2020.

Slovakia predicted line-up vs. Poland: Rodak; Pekarik, Satka, Skriniar, Hancko; Lobotka, Kucka, Hamsik; Duda, Mak, Duris (4-3-3)

Scotland Euro 2020 Betting Tips & Predictions

I would be amazed if there was to be a repeat of Slovakia’s performance at the last Euros where they managed to sneak through as one of the 3rd-placed teams in Wales and England’s group. There’s an argument that they’re in a tougher group this time around and haven’t brought in enough fresh blood to rejuvenate an ageing squad. They are a bit lucky in that they’ll face Spain in their final group game, which could offer a sliver of hope of progression if the Spaniards have already booked their place in the knock-outs. I don’t see it unfortunately and I think Slovakia will really struggle to make a mark across Europe this summer and at 1.67 for them to finish bottom of a tough group I can get behind such a price.

The first of two bigger odds bets I like is to do with their lack of goals. They’re not set up to score goals and they don’t have the players who can realistically carve out chances on their own in the same way a lot of the other less-fancied nations do, let alone the three sides that make up the rest of Group E. Slovakia to finish as the lowest scoring side across the tournament at 7.0 looks a sensible price for me, especially when you consider the more dangerous options the likes of Finland, Hungary and North Macedonia (the sides at a similar price) have at their disposal.

Building on the lack of goals option, Slovakia to finish with no goalscorer is at a slightly chunkier 8.5. This would cover us if they manage to work an own goal in their favour which could sit just as well as the Lowest Scoring Team shout, just at slightly loftier odds.

Predicted stage of elimination: Group Stage

How to watch Sweden v Slovakia Euro 2020

📅   When / Friday, 18 June 2021, 14:00 BST
🏟   Where / Gazprom Arena (Saint Petersburg)
📺   TV / BBC One, ZDF
📱   Online streaming / bet365