Slovakia vs. Azerbaijan – Prediction (EURO Qualification – 19.11.2019)

Preview and Teams Comparison.

Slovakia are guaranteed a place in the Euro 2020 qualification play-offs, but can still qualify directly if they win this European Championship qualification (ECQ) fixture and Wales vs Hungary is drawn. Encouragingly, they have won all five ECQ H2Hs (GF 14, GA 2), although their recent home ECQ form has been inconsistent (W1, D2, L2). Slovakia haven’t lost when Juraj Kucka has scored any of his four career ECQ goals (W3, D1), three of which have been his side’s first. The hosts’ ECQ fixtures this campaign have seen most of the action unfold within the hour, with nine of their 11 goals for (and eight of 11 conceded) coming in or before the 60th minute. This puts importance on scoring first, with five of Slovakia’s six matches won/lost this ECQ campaign favouring the team scoring first.

Six of Slovakia’s seven ECQ fixtures, including all three home games, have produced exactly one first-half goal. Five of Azerbaijan’s seven ECQ fixtures have seen the same result at both half-time and full-time. Somewhat predictably, the winner has scored first in each of those above matches.

On similar lines, five of Azerbaijan’s six ECQ results (if excluding draws) have favoured the side scoring first. The visitors have just one point this ECQ campaign and are winless in the Euro qualifiers since March 2015 (D4, L8). Furthermore, Azerbaijan have failed to score a first-half goal in five of their seven ECQ fixtures, including the last four. Azerbaijan’s Ramil Sheydaev has scored both his ECQ goals before the half-hour mark. Underlining their scoring woes, Azerbaijan are yet to score multiple goals in a Euro 2020 qualifier, although five of their seven ECQ fixtures featured goals at both ends. Early goals have hurt Azerbaijan this ECQ campaign, with nearly half of their 16 goals against (seven of 16) conceded before the half-hour mark.

Match Info and Live Scores.