Slovakia are unbeaten in eight games at home
Slovakia have kept five straight home clean sheets
Recommended bet: Slovakia to win
Slovakia are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010 while Kosovo are in the midst of a historic push to qualify for their first ever Major tournament.
Slovakia chased home Germany in World Cup qualifying Group A while Kosovo played second fiddle to Switzerland in Group B, overcoming Slovenia and Sweden for the runners-up spot.
The Falcons have a proud recent home record and they beat Group A rivals Germany, Luxembourg and Northern Ireland to nil in games held in Bratislava, Trnava and Kosice, form which should have Kosovo feeling slightly concerned.
The Dardanians did the double over a strong Sweden side in Group D but just six goals in as many qualifiers highlights where their problems lie and Slovakia are disciplined defensively.
The winner of this clash will face Turkey or Romania in the Path C finale with a place at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer the prize.
The latest Slovakia vs Kosovo odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Slovakia are unable to call upon the services of centre-back Lubomir Satka and he joins Stoke striker Robert Bozenik on the sidelines.
Ivan Schranz is another missing for the hosts but star defender Milan Skriniar is expected to shake off his injury concerns.
Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani is a notable absentee for Kosovo and he has been ruled out alongside Leon Avdullahu, Muharrem Jashari and Leart Paqarada.
The stats
Slovakia are unbeaten in eight home fixtures, winning four of their last five.
Both teams have scored in only one of Slovakia’s last 11 fixtures and nine of those matches have gone under 2.5 goals.
Kosovo have lost only one of their last 11 matches and their last five fixtures have featured two or fewer goals.
Kosovo’s six World Cup qualifiers featured just 11 goals, with them scoring only six times.
Slovakia have kept five straight clean sheets at home, winning their three World Cup qualifiers in Bratislava to nil.
The latest Slovakia vs Kosovo odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Defensive solidity and strong organisation have made Slovakia a success and they should be confident of putting home advantage to good use against Kosovo, who managed only six goals in as many World Cup qualifiers.
Slovakia were able to grind out wins to nil in home qualifiers against Germany, Luxembourg and Northern Ireland and they allowed only eight shots on target throughout.
Clearcut chances will be hard to come by for Kosovo and they have been hit hard defensively by the injury to Napoli’s Rrahmani, which will pile on the pressure.
Kosovo lost 4-0 away at Switzerland in September while they also suffered a 3-0 defeat in Romania in November, highlighting their limitations.
