Slovakia vs Romania Prediction: Euro 2024 Team News and Lineups Preview

Euro 2024’s Group E concludes on Wednesday, and Matthew O’Regan has his Slovakia vs Romania prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. A draw is enough for both sides to defy the odds and progress to the knockouts, although both have won admiration for their high-octane football, so we should still be set for a barnstorming affair. 

• Slovakia vs Romania Tip 1: Denis Vavro over 0.5 shots
• Slovakia vs Romania Tip 2: Slovakia over 18.5 Throw Ins
• Slovakia vs Romania Tip 3: Andrei Ratiu over 0.5 fouls committed

Slovakia vs Romania Prediction 1: Vavro Vroom

Germany, Euro 2024, Wednesday, June 26th, 17:00 (UK)

Slovakia shocked the continent when they defeated Belgium 1-0, with Francesco’s side disciplined and entertaining throughout. They were brave in possession and looked to utilise their attacking pace on the counter attack. Despite leading from the 7th minute, Slovakia still looked to add more goals to their total, having ten shots in total. 

They were maybe a bit fortunate at times, with Romelu Lukaku seeing two goals disallowed, but Slovakia were good value for their lead. Ivan Schranz also gave his side the lead again against Ukraine – another game Slovakia looked very good in. Unfortunately for Slovaks, two second half goals from Ukraine saw them defeated 1-2, but they are still in a healthy position heading into the final game. 

Interestingly, all four teams are level on three points, so a point for Slovakia will be enough to progress in third place.

A key to this disciplined Slovakian unit is their back four. David Pekarik of Hertha Berlin brings solidity and experience at right back, while the adventurous left back David Hanko of Feyenoord brings attacking flair on the other flank. Centrally, PSG’s Milan Skrinar captains the side and is partnered by Denis Vavro of Copenhagen. It is the latter that interests me in the betting market. 

In the 1-0 loss to Belgium, Vavro had a shot from thirty yards out that flew wide. He followed this up with a flicked header wide against Ukraine, meaning he has had a shot in both games thus far. He has now had a shot in his last six international starts. At club level for FC Copenhagen, Vavro averaged 1.29 shots per 90, with just one of six of them coming inside the box. 

Vavro likes to have a pop from long-range, whether that be from a set piece or in open play. With Romania potentially deploying a low block again, we could see a repeat of this from the 28-year-old. At 6’2 he is also an aerial threat, so there are plenty of avenues for him to have a shot. 

• Slovakia vs Romania Prediction 1: Denis Vavro over 0.5 shots
• Best Odds: 2,10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Slovakia vs Romania Prediction 2: Throws Present Value

Slovakia like to play on the counter attack, with Lukas Haraslin their main outlet on the wing. Ivran Schranz occupies the other flank, while Peter Pekarik and David Hancko like to overlap. 

This utilisation of the width has seen an increase in throw-ins this tournament, with Slovakia having 19 against Belgium and 22 against Ukraine. 

It was a backs to the wall performance for Romania against Belgium, conceding 25 throws as Domenico Tedesco’s side continued to pile the pressure on for large spells of the game.

Over their last ten games, Slovakia have averaged 20.5 throw-ins, with Romania conceding an average of 19.40, despite playing lowly sides such as Liechtenstein, Andorra and Belarus.

• Slovakia vs Romania Prediction 2: Over 18.5 Slovakia Throw Ins
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Slovakia vs Romania Prediction 3: Harassing Haraslin

As mentioned, a lot of Slovakia’s wing play goes through wide man Lukas Haraslin. The 28-year-old diminutive winger created 2 chances and had two shots in the opener against Belgium, winning a mammoth four fouls in 70 minutes. 

Against Ukraine, he was just as lively, picking up an assist and have two shots on target, as well as winning a foul. He has been fouled in his last ten Slovakia starts, for an average of 2.3 fouls won per 90. 

At club level for Sparta Prague he is a foul-winning machine too. In the Europa League, he averages 2.57 fouls won per 90- winning 2, 4, 0, 2, and 3 fouls in his last five starts. 

His direct opponent on Wednesday will be Andrei Ratiu of Rayo Vallecano. While the 26-year-old has an extremely low foul average and has yet to make a foul this Euros, it is important to note Haraslin’s foul won record. Ratiu was also lucky to get away with a clear foul on Belgium’s Jeremy Doku in the last game. 

Ratiu is priced high for one foul due to his poor record, but up against Lukas Haraslin, I feel these are odds that have to be taken. 

• Slovakia vs Romania Prediction 3: Andrei Ratiu over 0.5 fouls committed 
• Best Odds: 2.62
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Team A vs Team B Prediction odds via bet365 as at 00:00 June 24th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Slovakia vs Romania Euro 2024 Team News and Possible Lineups: Dilemmas for both managers

Many people are predicting a drab affair in Frankfurt, with both teams knowing a point is enough to advance to the knockouts. This leaves a dilemma for both managers – do they play for the draw or go for the win to top the group? Do they rest players for the knockouts? 

Both managers are very prideful and I feel they will want to top the group, so we should see a more entertaining affair than many anticipate. There are no injury or suspensions at play here, so we should see full strength sides from both. 

Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skrinrar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin

Romania possible starting lineup:
Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; Marin, Man, Marin, Stanciu, Coman; Dragus

Euro 2024 Match Stats: A Point and run?

• Slovakia’s win over Belgium, at 6.50, was the sixth biggest upset in the Euros history, according to bettingexpert’s betting guide..
• Both sides have only advanced to the knockouts once each in their history.
• The last meeting was a 1-1 draw in 2013.
• One point each would see both of these nations through to the knockouts.

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