Malta vs Slovenia Predictions

• Slovenia have scored just four goals across their six Group H qualifiers to date.
• The visitors have netted more than one goal in just two of their last 13 internationals.
• Slovenia were narrow 1-0 winners when the sides met in Ljubljana last month.

Slovenia unlikely to sparkle in Valletta

Slovenia struggled to break clear of Malta when the sides met in Ljubljana last month and they could be largely kept at bay once more in this Friday’s reverse Group H fixture.

Matjaz Kek’s charges claimed all three points in September’s contest, but only via a Sandi Lovric spot kick on the stroke of half time as Malta remained untroubled for the majority of the match.

Qualification for Qatar 2022 looks beyond the Slovenians who have just seven points on the board from a possible 21, and that’s mostly down to their failures in front of goal. Slovenia have netted just four goals in total across their Group H outings, while they’ve only scored more than once in two of their last 13 internationals.

While Malta are completely out of contention, it’s been a relatively successful campaign thus far by their usual standards. Devis Mangia’s men were good enough to earn a 2-2 draw in Slovakia, while they bagged their first World Cup Qualifying win since 2013 with a 3-0 triumph here over Cyprus.

The Maltese are undoubtedly more spirited and resolute than in recent years and while they’re expected to be edged out in Valletta this Friday, the right bet looks to be backing under 1.5 goals for the visitors at around evens, as opposed to siding with the Slovenians at 1/2 in the 1X2 market.