Slovenia will look to get back into contention for the World Cup qualifiers when it faces Cyprus on Tuesday.
Slovenia currently sits in fifth place with nine points, but is only two points behind second place Norway; if everything plays out favorably for them, the Eastern Europeans could be in second place by the time Tuesday's games end. What scenarios would need to play out? Switzerland would need to top Norway while Albania and Iceland would have to draw. Slovenia would obviously have to pull off a victory against Cyprus. This scenario would leave Slovenia with 12 points, Norway with 11, Albania with 11, and Iceland with 11. Switzerland would be close to clinching the top spot in the qualifiers.
The team is coming off a huge 1-0 win against Albania thanks to a 19th minute goal from Kevin Kampl.
Cyprus is down to its final lifeline as the team must win its last three to have any hopes of finishing in second place. With four points, Cyprus can only acquire a maximum of 13 points; a win by Norway would eliminate them from contention completely. Cyprus has garnered one win, one draw, and five losses in seven games; the team has only scored four goals while conceding 11 throughout the competition.
These teams last met on Oct. 12, 2012 in Maribor where Slovenia pulled off a 2-1 victory courtesy of two goals from Tim Matavz.
Prediction: Slovenia wins 2-0.
Start Time: 2:30 p.m. EST
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