Slovenia vs Scotland: both sides open a new Nations League chapter under a new coach
On Saturday, September 26, Slovenia host Scotland at Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana in the opening round of UEFA Nations League B, Group B1 — a match marking a fresh start for both teams after their World Cup campaigns and a coaching change on the Scottish side.
The match and context
Slovenia and Scotland meet on Saturday, September 26, at Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana in the first round of UEFA Nations League B, Group B1, which also includes Switzerland and North Macedonia. Kick-off is at 10:00 Brasília time according to most sources, though one report (NETVASCO) initially also listed a 13:00 kick-off.
For both teams the match opens a new chapter. Slovenia missed the 2026 World Cup, finishing third in its qualifying group behind Switzerland and Kosovo — seven points behind second-placed Kosovo, according to one source. Scotland, meanwhile, ended a 28-year absence and reached the World Cup, beating Haiti 1-0 but losing to Morocco (0-1) and Brazil (0-3), finishing third in its group and missing the knockout stage. Long-serving coach Steve Clarke left after the tournament, replaced by Sébastien Pocognoli, who will take charge for the first time in this match.
Sources disagree on Slovenia's head coach: NETVASCO and SpaceMoney name Bostjan Cesar, while ND Mais reports that the team is led by Matjaž Kek.
Absences
Slovenia will be without forward Benjamin Šeško, who is recovering from a long-standing ankle injury, as well as Žan Zaletel and Nik Prelec. Andraž Šporar and Žan Vipotnik are set to lead the attack, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak — about to reach his 85th cap — remains the defensive cornerstone.
Scotland is missing several experienced players: Scott McTominay, recovering from heart surgery, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams with muscle injuries, and Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean. Pocognoli has called up several uncapped players — seven, according to NETVASCO, though ND Mais puts the figure at eight, two of whom were later released to the under-21 squad.
Form and statistics
Slovenia's recent form is poor: NETVASCO and SpaceMoney cite one win, one draw and two losses in the last four matches, while ND Mais points to an even bleaker picture — just one win in the last ten games. Scotland's form is better — NETVASCO and SpaceMoney cite three wins and two draws in their last five matches, while ND Mais highlights that Scotland is unbeaten in the last five head-to-head meetings between the two sides (two wins, three draws). Slovenia does hold a strong home record, however — according to NETVASCO, the team has lost just once in its last 41 home matches... more precisely, it remained unbeaten in 35 of the last 41.
Bookmakers see the match as fairly even, with a slight edge for the hosts: Slovenia's win priced around 2.50, the draw around 3.00, and a Scotland win around 2.88 (odds recorded on 26/09/2026).
Likely line-ups
Slovenia: Oblak; Karničnik, Drkušić, Bijol, Brekalo; Lovrić, Gnezda Čerin, Elšnik; Horvat, Vipotnik; Šporar. Scotland: Gunn; Hickey, Hendry, McKenna; Gannon-Doak, Gilmour, Ferguson, Robertson (captain); McGinn, Christie; McBurnie.
ND Mais columnist Maurício Louro predicts a 1-2 loss for Slovenia.
