Slovenia have been strong in the last few years as they prepare to take on what has been a surprisingly obdurate and effective Kosovo side in Ljubljana this weekend.
Key stats
Slovenia have lost only one of their last 14 World Cup qualifying matches at home (W8 D5).
Four of Slovenia’s last six World Cup qualifying matches finished level.
Kosovo are unbeaten in their last three World Cup qualifying matches (W2 D1), keeping clean sheets in all three.
Kosovo are aiming to win back-to-back World Cup qualifiers for the first time.
Slovenia head into this one on the back of an impressive and hard-fought goalless draw with Switzerland in their most recent outing last week. The Slovenians are one of the more defensive and reactive sides in European international football, as shown by scoring just two goals in their four Group B qualifiers thus far.
Kosovo, on the other hand, have only scored three of their own as they remain just three points adrift of a strong Switzerland side. Under the management of former Austria boss Franco Foda, the Kosovans have been surprisingly impressive, having most recently edged past Sweden by a goal to nil last month.
These are two defensively effective sides and Kosovo will believe they have a real chance of catching the Swiss, or at least getting a playoff, and a low-scoring clash is to be expected.
Sandi Lovric is one of only two Slovenia players to have scored during the current campaign, having netted against Sweden on matchday one.
Fisnik Asllani was the Kosovo hero against Sweden last month, scoring the only goal of the game in Stockholm.
Predicted line-ups
Slovenia have been dealt a huge blow ahead of this make-or-break clash as star striker Benjamin Sesko will miss out due to a knee injury.
Fidan Alit is back in contention for Kosovo after serving a suspension against Sweden, while Elvis Rexhbecaj has also returned to the squad following a spell on the sidelines.
Slovenia: Oblak; Brekalo, Bijol, Drkusic, Janza; Karnicnik, Gnezda Cerin, Elsnik, Horvat; Vipotnik, Sturm.
Kosovo: Muric; Gallapeni, Hajdari, Hajrizi, Krasniqi; Muslija, Avdullahu, Hodza, Vojvoda; Muriqi, Asllani.
