Estonia vs Slovakia Prediction: Visitors to get off to a strong start

Estonia host Slovakia in their first match of the latest Uefa Nations League on Thursday (19:45). The two nations are in League C Group 1 alongside Azerbaijan and Sweden.

After featuring and faring well at Euro 2024 by reaching the round of 16, Slovakia will believe they can have a positive Nations League campaign. Below you will find my Estonia vs Slovakia prediction, including match odds and team news.

Estonia vs Slovakia Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Estonia vs Slovakia page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Estonia are 9/2 to take the three points, which gives them a chance of 18.2%. Slovakia are 1/2 for the win, giving them an implied probability of 66.7%. The draw is available at 3/1 (25%).

Both teams to score is on offer at 11/10 and over 2.5 goals can be backed at 1/1. Slovakia's Ivan Schranz was the joint-Golden Boot winner at Euro 2024 in Germany with three goals. He is 13/5 to score anytime on Thursday and 7/1 to open the scoring.

Football Odds

Team News

Estonia are without the services of forward Henri Anier, who is out injured. However, boss Jurgen Henn has called up 16-year-old Patrik Kristal and he could be set to make his debut in this clash, most likely from the bench.

Paide Linnameeskond striker Robi Saarma has been looking sharp in the Meistriliiga this season with 12 goals in 24 outings. He will be hoping that he can have an impact in this international break as he awaits to get off the mark for his national team.

For Slovakia, boss Francesco Calzona could have a decision to make in goal between Martin Dubravka and Marek Rodak. The former hasn't featured for Newcastle United so far in 2024/25 while Rodak has played twice for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.

Veteran Peter Pekarik has kept his place in the squad despite being without a club after leaving Hertha Berlin in the summer. Paris Saint-Germain's Milan Skriniar looks set to command the back line once again.

Stanislav Lobotka, Ondrej Duda and Juraj Kucka all had an impact in the Euros and the trio should be important figures for this Nations League campaign.

Slovan Bratislava's David Strelec should be a nuisance up top, as should Euro 2024 star Schranz.

Slovakia to win to nil @ 5/4

Slovakia gave a good account of themselves at the Euros and they were a tough nut to crack. Eventual finalists England needed a moment of brilliance from Jude Bellingham to salvage extra-time in the round of 16 and on another day they could have made it to the quarter-finals.

They will want to build on this in the Nations League. Slovakia will want to respond and also make use of the confidence they gained out in Germany. Estonia will have studied their summer performances closely and will know that they are in for a very tough evening.

In terms of squad depth and quality, the visitors trump the hosts and I think backing them to win to nil could be a sensible selection for Thursday's clash.

Slovakia have a stubborn defence which strong teams including England and Belgium found difficult to break down over the summer, and their attacking options are far greater than Estonia's.

Then with Slovakia's own Schranz, you have an attacking talent who announced himself on the international stage in Germany, and he will be eager to keep up his good form for his country.

Ivan Schranz anytime goalscorer @ 13/5

After singing his praises for most of this preview, how can I not back this man to get on the scoresheet? Schranz was excellent at the Euros and that experience should help him be just as effective in the Nations League.

The 30-year-old is yet to get off the mark in the Czech First League with Slavia Praha in 2024/25, but we know what he is capable of when he is in the colours of the Sokoli. He will carry Slovakia's biggest goal threat against Estonia and I fancy him to get on the scoresheet, which should help him find form for his club after this international break.

Offers

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