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

Slovakia end their World Cup qualifying campaign against Malta on Sunday afternoon looking for the victory which would secure third position in Group H.

Meanwhile, Malta need a win to guarantee fifth position ahead of Cyprus, something which may help their cause ahead of future qualification draws.

Match preview

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Before the start of this campaign, Slovakia would have been delighted with just two defeats in nine matches with Croatia and Russia present in their group.

However, the top two seeds have not been the issue, with four of Slovakia's five draws coming against opposition that they needed to beat to stand a chance of qualification.

That has ultimately left Stefan Tarkovic's side nine points adrift of second spot with a game remaining, leaving Slovakia to focus their efforts on trying to claim third spot ahead of Slovenia.

If Thursday's match against the same opponents is anything to go by, they appear to be motivated with the Falcons twice coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw.

To their credit, Slovakia's only two defeats in this group have come by 1-0 scorelines to Russia and Croatia, and they will feel that third position is the least that they deserve for their performances.

Despite sitting six points clear of their next opponents, there will be no complacency within the Slovakia ranks after failing to overcome Malta in March.

Malta were arguably the more frustrated after that contest, the minnows storming into a 2-0 lead after 19 minutes before being pegged back in the second half.

On a more positive note, they have enjoyed the best qualification campaign in their history, matching the five points that they collected ahead of Euro 2008 but playing fewer games this time around.

Although a point would not necessarily be celebrated at the weekend, Devis Mangia knows that avoiding defeat would help their quest to move up the qualifying-draw pots in the future.

Team News

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Ondrej Duda and David Strelec are in line for recalls to the Slovakia XI after netting as substitutes earlier this week.

Marek Hamsik and Ladislav Almasi could be the duo to miss out, although Matus Bero's place is also at risk.

Robert Bozenik is an alternative in the final third if Tarkovic opts to take a different approach.

Mangia may decide against making too many alterations to his Malta starting lineup having rested players during the second half versus Croatia.

Steve Pisani, a half-time substitute in that game, will hope to feature in midfield alongside either Bjorn Kristensen or Teddy Teuma.

Malta possible starting lineup:
Bonello; Shaw, Agius, Pepe; Attard, Pisani, Kristensen, Camenzuli; Mbong, Montebello, Degabriele

Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Pekarik, Satka, Skriniar, Holubek; Hamsik, Lobotka, Bero; Mak, Almasi, Haraslin

We say: Malta 1-4 Slovakia

Despite their performance in the reverse fixture, we cannot see Malta producing a similar level of result. With that in mind, expect Slovakia to run away with this one, cruising to victory to end their campaign on a high note.

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