Preview: Liechtenstein vs. Slovakia - prediction, team news, lineups

Slovakia will look to maintain their unbeaten start to Euro 2024 qualifying when they face Liechtenstein in Vaduz on Tuesday.

The hosts, meanwhile, will have their work cut out to claim a positive result after losing their last 16 internationals.

Match preview

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Since beating Luxembourg 2-1 in October 2020, Liechtenstein have gone 28 matches without picking up a victory, and three of those games have taken place in the current qualifying campaign.

They lost 4-0 to European giants Portugal in their opening game, before they fell to a demoralising 7-0 home defeat to Iceland on matchday two.

Konrad Funfstuck was named Liechtenstein's permanent manager in May, replacing interim boss Rene Pauritsch, but he was unable to inspire an immediate upturn in fortunes in his first game in charge against Luxembourg on Friday, which resulted in a 2-0 away defeat.

Liechtenstein have not won a match in European Championship qualifying since November 2014, and it looks set to be another tough campaign for the minnows.

While achieving a positive result may prove difficult, Tuesday's hosts will be hoping to find the net for the first time since June last year.

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In contrast to their hosts, Slovakia have made an impressive start to their qualifying campaign, collecting seven points from three matches.

They would have been disappointed to play out a goalless draw with Luxembourg on matchday one, but they have gained momentum from wins over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland.

Juraj Kucka gave Slovakia the lead in Saturday's away trip to Reykjavik, before Iceland's Alfred Finnbogason restored parity from the penalty spot.

However, Tomas Suslov scored the all-important winner in the second period to leave Slovakia in second place in Group J with seven points to their name.

Slovakia will be looking for a third consecutive win on Tuesday, and they will draw inspiration from their recent away form, having won four of their last six away internationals.

Team News

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Liechtenstein may have to cope without the services of Nicolas Hasler, who is a doubt after being forced off in the first half against Luxembourg.

Sandro Wolfinger replaced Hasler at the weekend, and he could be presented with a starting opportunity if the 32-year-old is unable to feature on Tuesday.

After starting the first two qualifiers, Jens Hofer dropped to the bench for Saturday's contest, but the defender could return to the starting XI against Slovakia.

As for the visitors, Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka will keep his place in goal, and he is expected to be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Denis Vavro and Milan Skriniar.

After coming off the bench to score the winner against Iceland, Suslov could be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup.

Robert Polievka is likely to retain his place in the forward line, and he will be hoping to make his fourth appearance for Slovakia with his first international goal.

Liechtenstein possible starting lineup:
Buchel; Malin, Traber, Hofer; S. Wolfinger, Meier, Luchinger, Sele, Goppel; Saglam, Salanovic

Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Hamsik; Suslov, Mak, Polievka

We say: Liechtenstein 0-3 Slovakia

Slovakia head into Tuesday's encounter off the back of consecutive victories, and we think they will ease to three points when they come up against Liechtenstein, who have lost their last 16 games.


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