Preview: Russia vs. Slovakia - prediction, team news, lineups

Russia will continue their push for automatic World Cup qualification when they host Slovakia on Friday.

Valeri Karpin's team are second in Group H in European qualifying after four wins from six games, while their opponents are in third.

Match preview

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Former Russian international Karpin took over from Stanislav Cherchesov in the dugout after Euro 2020 and guided his country to two wins and a draw in September's qualifying matches.

Russia kept a clean sheet in all three games – against Croatia, Cyprus and Malta – while they are the top scorers in Group H with 10 goals.

Karpin's men are only behind group leaders Croatia on goal difference and face Zlatko Dalic's side in the final round of group matches in November.

Russia last failed to qualify for a major tournament in 2010, but if they do reach Qatar, they will have to participate as a neutral team due to the country's doping ban.

The 2018 World Cup hosts have lost just one of their last eight games on home turf, with Belgium winning in Saint Petersburg at Euro 2020.

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However, Slovakia are the only team to beat Russia in this qualifying campaign so far, with goals from Milan Skriniar and Robert Mak helping secure a 2-1 win in March.

Stefan Tarkovic's side know that they must surely win again to keep their own hopes of getting to Qatar alive, as they currently trail Russia by four points with four games remaining.

It could certainly prove to be a crucial month for the central European nation, as they travel to Croatia on Monday.

Slovakia have only lost one of their six qualifiers so far but have drawn three, including both of their away trips to Cyprus and Slovenia.

The country's only previous World Cup appearance came in 2010; they finished second in their qualifying group four years ago but were the lowest ranked of the runners-up so did not qualify for the playoffs.

Team News

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Vyacheslav Karavaev, Stanislav Magkeyev and Aleksei Ionov have all withdrawn from the Russian squad due to injury. Record goalscorer Artem Dzyuba has a long-running feud with Valeri Karpin and has refused to be involved in the squad.

Aleksei Miranchuk is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the qualifying campaign against Malta last time out.

Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka joined up with the Slovakia squad against his club's wishes, but was then ruled out by medical staff with a muscle injury.

Vladimir Weiss is also unavailable due to a hamstring injury picked up against Cyprus last month.

Centre-back Milan Skriniar is the nation's top scorer in this qualifying campaign with two goals to his name so far.

Russia possible starting lineup:

Guilherme; Kuzyaev, Diveev, Kudryashov, Samoshnikov; Barinov, Erokhin, Golovin; Bakaev, Smolov, Zakharyan

Slovakia possible starting lineup:

Rodak; Pekarik, Skriniar, Satka, Hancko; Hamsik, Kucka, Duda; Jirka, Schranz, Mak

We say: Russia 2-1 Slovakia

Valeri Karpin has made Russia tighter at the back, but Slovakia will certainly test them more than Cyprus and Malta did last month. Both sides will feel they cannot afford to drop points, so a cagey affair awaits; we are backing the hosts to secure a narrow win.