7M - International Friendlies Preview: Slovakia vs Montenegro - prediction, team news, lineups

Slovakia and Montenegro will square off in Kosice on Friday evening for an international friendly, as both teams finalize their preparations ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League cycle.

Each nation comes into this final fixture of the 2025-26 season on the back of a victory earlier this week, looking to sign off for the summer on a positive note.

Match preview

Slovakia enter this fixture navigating a period of significant managerial transition. Despite a memorable World Cup qualifying campaign that included a stunning victory over Germany last September and a second-place finish in Group A, the Falcons ultimately failed to reach the tournament after falling to Kosovo in the UEFA playoff semi-finals.

That heartbreak brought an end to Francesco Calzona's four-year tenure as head coach, paving the way for Vladimir Weiss to return for his second stint in charge of the national team.

Schedule Pressure and Recent Form

The immediate pressure on Weiss is to secure promotion from a Nations League group that features Moldova, Kazakhstan, and the Faroe Islands. Slovakia started their summer friendly double-header on Monday, narrowly escaping with a 2-1 victory over Malta thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time winner from debutant Roland Galcik.

Currently sitting 33 places above Friday's opponents in the FIFA World Rankings, the hosts boast a solid recent run of form with four victories and two defeats in their last six matches across all competitions. Weiss is expected to utilize this final fixture to test fresh talent before competitive action resumes.

Montenegro are likewise using this international window to gather momentum before their own Nations League campaign kicks off in late September, where they are scheduled to face Armenia, Latvia, and Cyprus in a bid to climb into League B.

Tactical Highlights and New Leadership

The Balkan nation experienced their own World Cup qualifying disappointment, finishing fourth in Group L. However, the late appointment of former Serie A star Mirko Vucinic has injected new energy into the squad. The ex-Lecce, Roma, and Juventus forward had no prior senior management experience but has enjoyed a strong start, guiding his team to four wins in his first seven games at the helm.

Vucinic's men showed defensive resilience on Monday night, grinding out a 1-0 victory against Bulgaria in Plovdiv courtesy of a second-half strike from Balsa Sekulic. Despite that clean sheet, historical defensive vulnerabilities remain a primary tactical concern for Montenegro. Furthermore, history is not on their side for Friday's trip to Kosice; since gaining independence in 2006, Montenegro have never beaten Slovakia, recording one draw and two losses in their previous encounters.

Team News

Slovakia's tactical options are heavily depleted by a lengthy injury list. Captain Milan Skriniar and midfield controller Stanislav Lobotka are both sidelined, joining Leo Sauer, David Duris, and goalkeepers Martin Dubravka and Dominik Greif on the training table.

While Middlesbrough forward David Strelec started up front against Malta on Monday, Weiss is likely to hand opportunities to several newcomers alongside experienced creators like Ondrej Duda and Robert Bozenik.

Montenegro's squad is undergoing a notable youth movement as Vucinic looks squarely toward the future. Long-serving captain Stevan Jovetic was left out of the camp entirely, while Atalanta attacker Nikola Krstovic and veteran defensive pillar Stefan Savic both had to pull out of the initial 28-man squad due to fitness issues.

As a result, teenage prospects such as Lens midfielder Andrija Bulatovic and 19-year-old forward Andrej Kostic are firmly in contention to earn starting roles in the lineup.

Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Takac; Pavek, Valjent, Satka, Obert; Duda, Bero, Benes; Suslov, Bozenik, Haraslin

Montenegro possible starting lineup:
Petkovic; Roganovic, Vujacic, Rubezic, Raznatovic; Brnovic, Vukotic, Bulatovic, Camaj; Kostic, Osmajic

Prediction: Slovakia 3-1 Montenegro

Even with several high-profile defensive and midfield stars missing from their ranks, Slovakia still possess a highly capable attacking frontline that can cause serious problems for the visitors. Given Montenegro's historical tendency to be caught out at the back and concede goals away from home, the Falcons should have enough firepower to secure a comfortable victory on home soil.