On September 6, 2024, Kazakhstan will host Norway in their opening match of the UEFA Nations League.
Both teams missed out on qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2024, and this encounter presents an opportunity for them to kickstart their campaigns on a positive note.
With the spotlight on Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland, fans can expect a competitive match as both sides seek to build momentum in the tournament.
Match Preview
Kazakhstan enters this fixture with a sense of urgency, having endured a disappointing qualifying campaign for Euro 2024.
Their journey was marred by a series of disheartening results, including a surprising defeat to San Marino, the lowest-ranked team in Europe.
The Kazakh team has only managed one win in their last five matches, which came against Turkmenistan.
Their recent friendly against Azerbaijan ended in a close 3-2 defeat, underscoring their need for improvement.
Meanwhile, Norway also comes into this match with a mix of optimism and desperation.
Despite the individual brilliance of Erling Haaland, who has been in sensational form in the Premier League, the team struggled in recent friendlies.
Norway’s only victory this year was a 3-0 win against Kosovo, with Haaland scoring a hat trick.
However, they also faced setbacks with losses to Denmark and Slovakia, highlighting their inconsistency as they look to regroup in the Nations League.
Head to Head
This match marks the first-ever encounter between Kazakhstan and Norway.
Both teams are seeking to establish a foundation for future matches, and this initial meeting could set the tone for their respective campaigns in the Nations League.
The lack of historical context adds an intriguing layer to the matchup as both sides vie for supremacy.
Team News
Kazakhstan has reported no injuries, allowing them to field a full-strength squad as they prepare for this crucial fixture.
The Kazakh players, including Adilet Sadybekov, Bauyrzhan Islamkhan, Maksim Samorodov, and Yan Vorogovskiy, will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and contribute to the team’s success.
Norway, however, will be without defender Kristoffer Ajer due to injury.
Despite this setback, the team retains a wealth of attacking talent, led by Erling Haaland and captain Martin Ødegaard.
With Haaland on the brink of becoming Norway’s all-time top scorer, his presence will be pivotal in Norway’s quest for victory.
Prediction
Given the current form of both teams, we predict a closely contested match with Kazakhstan potentially edging out Norway.
While Norway boasts a star-studded lineup, their recent struggles and Kazakhstan’s determination to secure a win could lead to a surprising outcome.
- Score Prediction: Kazakhstan 2-1 Norway
Betting Tips
Kazakhstan to Win: Betting on Kazakhstan to win could yield favorable returns given their home advantage and Norway’s recent inconsistency.
Over 2.5 Goals: With both teams showing glimps of scoring in their last 5 matches, placing a bet on over 2.5 total goals is a sensible option.
Both Teams to Score – Yes: Both teams have been vulnerable at the back, so both teams scoring is advisable.
Erling Haaland to Score Anytime: If Haaland can carry his EPL form in to this match, placing a bet on Haaland to find the net could still be worthwhile given his exceptional form.