SLOVENIA are preparing for just their second crack at a European Championship finals and will be looking to warm up for Germany with a morale-boosting friendly win over Armenia.
It's 24 years since the Slovenians last qualified and that appearance at Euro 2000 kicked off a golden decade that also saw them reach two World Cups.
They've been in the wilderness since 2010 but head to this summer's Euros with their tails up after winning seven of their 10 games in an impressive qualifying campaign that saw them finish behind group winners Denmark only on goal difference.
Boss Matjaz Kek has a squad filled with players who operate in Europe's biggest leagues and they should have too much quality for an Armenian side who finished second bottom of their own group in qualifying.
The Armenians did manage to shock Wales with a Cardiff win and a draw in Yerevan but their players could view this friendly as something of an inconvenience ahead of their summer break.
How the bookies view it: Go with the Slo
With Armenia likely on the beach already, it's no surprise to see them as 8/1 outsiders with Bet365. Slovenia are just 1/3 for a win while the draw pays 4/1.
Head to head: History being made
These nations have never faced off before so this friendly will go down in history even if it's a stinker of a game. Armenia don't have a great record against nations from the former Yugoslavia, winning just six of their 24 games against Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia and Serbia.
Players to watch: Slovenia's Sesk appeal
Benajim Sesko is the new golden boy of Slovenian football and the RB Leipzig forward netting five times in qualifying. The 21-year-old will want to keep his eye in before the Euros and is 11/10 for anytime scorer.
Armenia have gone with youth for their latest squad but Eduard Spertsyan will provide a bit of experience. The Krasnodar midfielder has four goals from 25 caps and is 17/2 for anytime scorer.
Probable line-ups
Slovenia should go strong as they gear up for the finals while Armenia are more likely to experiment and give younger players a chance,
Slovenia: Oblak, Stojanović, Bijol, Brekalo, Zaletel, Horvat, Stanković, Lovrić, Mlakar, Sesko, Zahovic.
Armenia: Beglaryan, Haroyan, Mkrtchyan, Arutyunyan, Muradyan, Spertsyan, Serobyan, Harutyunyan, Shaghoyan, Sevikyan, Miranyan.
Anything else catch the eye?
With the Armenians have nothing to play for this should be a comfortable game for Slovenia and I like the 20/21 on offer for them to be winning at half-time and full-time.
I'd imagine the home team will have most of the ball and pressure so backing Slovenia at -3 in the corner handicap also appeals at 6/5.
There aren't many other markets available but you can get odds of 2/1 on the Slovenians winning both halves at Bet365.
This International Friendly match between Slovenia and Armenia will be played on Jun 4, 2024 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Slovenia vs Armenia prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
