Norway and Slovakia will kick off the latest round of international fixtures on Friday, when they face off in a friendly in Oslo.

Both nations failed in their bid to reach this year's World Cup, leaving them to focus on rebuilding their form ahead of the UEFA Nations League in the summer.

Match preview

Norway come into this round of international friendlies after only narrowly missing out on progression to the European playoffs for a World Cup place, as they eventually finished third in their group.

With 17 points from their opening eight matches, including five victories, Stale Solbakken's men sat in the playoff place, but they would fall behind Turkey after a disappointing goalless draw at home to Latvia.

That left them needing a victory over leaders Netherlands to stand a chance of progressing, but the Scandinavian outfit fell to a 2-0 defeat as Steven Bergwijn and Memphis Depay hit late goals for their opponents.

Despite now boasting a talented young squad, Norway have failed to qualify for a major tournament since 2000, and they will hope that this new generation has what it takes to break that drought.

Their next chance to do that will be when Euro 2024 Qualifiers begin next year, but, before the UEFA Nations League kicks off in the summer, Solbakken's team will look to correct their form with a victory over Slovakia.

The visitors also fell short of a top-two finish in their qualifying group, ending eight points behind second-placed Russia.

With just 11 points and two victories from their opening nine matches, the Sokoli knew they had little left to play for on the final day, other than a third-placed finish ahead of Slovenia, and they managed to finish in style, thrashing Malta 6-0 away from home in November.

A brace from Albert Rusnak and an Ondrej Duda goal had them three goals ahead inside the first 20 minutes, and Duda went on to complete a hat-trick in the second half alongside a Vernon De Marco goal to cap off a dominant display.

Having dropped out of the Euro 2020 group stage in disappointing fashion, Stefan Tarkovic's men will also see the summer's Nations League and next year's qualifiers as a fresh start, with the chance to kick off the upcoming campaign with a victory on Friday.

Team News

Norway will be boosted by the return of star forward Erling Braut Haaland, who has recently come back from a long layoff for Borussia Dortmund, having hit 23 goals in 23 club appearances this term after scoring 41 goals for BVB last campaign, while Josh King and Alexander Sorloth are also vying for starts in the front line.

Midfielder Sander Berge has also earned a place back in the squad after his recent resurgence for Sheffield United, netting three goals in March, while Arsenal star Martin Odegaard will be the captain and creative hub, having shone in the Premier League for the Gunners this season.

Kristoffer Ajer should operate at the heart of a back four, while Leo Ostigard may be granted a first cap alongside the Brentford man.

Slovakia have again called up an experienced squad, although captain and all-time top scorer Marek Hamsik is a notable absentee, with the creative midfielder ruled out through injury.

Instead, Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar could lead the side, with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka being another experienced figure in the team.

FC Koln's Ondrej Duda will continue to operate in an attacking midfield role, having taken his tally to nine international goals in 54 caps with his hat-trick against Malta.

Norway possible starting lineup:
Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Ostigard, Meling; Berge, Berg, Hauge; Odergaard, Haaland, Sorloth

Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Koscelnik, Skriniar, Satka, Hancko; Lobotka, Hrosovsky; Suslov, Duda, Haraslin; Bozenik

We say: Norway 3-1 Slovakia

Despite their failure to progress through World Cup Qualifying, Norway boast a talented side full of attacking quality, and we back them to pick up a win on home turf.

Haaland will be vying to gain back his eye for goal after a long-running injury, and he should be a force to be reckoned with supported by the likes of Odegaard.

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