Latvia vs Slovenia Prediction: the Latvian national team continues to improve

Prediction for the IIHF World Championship Latvia vs Slovenia match which will take place on May 19th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available. 

Latvia

The Latvia team is slowly returning to the fight for the playoffs. The hosts of the 2023 World Cup started the tournament disgustingly, suffering a defeat from the Canadians in the first game – 0:6. In this meeting, it was impossible to hope on points, but such a difference in the score is too much. There was a good chance to fight for the result with the Slovaks. Even here, the wards of Harijs Vitolins failed – 1:2. But then the Latvians sensationally beat the Czechs – 4:3, even in OT, and the day before, they also dealt with the Norwegians – 2:1. Five points in four matches is not such a bad result, so they can still fight for the playoffs.

Slovenia

Even before the start of the 2023 World Cup, the Slovenian national team could be the main outsider of Group B. After all, they have not been in the elite world division for a long time, so getting used to a higher level is difficult. Besides, Anze Kopitar again refused to come to the tournament. The team began proving their chances of staying in the strongest league were small from the first games. They suffered a defeat from the Swiss – 0:7, and the results left much to be desired. The match against the Norwegians was essential for them, which they lost – 0:1. So, now they have to wait for the battle with the Kazakhs for survival, which will take place on May 22.

Expert Betting Tips

The Latvian national team continues to improve during the home World Cup. If they got no points in the two opening games, then in the battle with the Czechs, they scored two points, and with the Norwegians, they achieved all three. Now the wards of Harijs Vitolins are the favorites. After all, the Slovenian national team is the main outsider of group B, for which it is still complicated to contest with a more experienced team. The Latvian national team at the 2023 World Cup is playing pragmatic hockey. The only exception was in the game with the Czech national team, but even in that case, the Czechs tried to set the open course of the meeting more than the Latvians.