Slovakia and Latvia will close out their World Cup qualifying campaigns on Tuesday.
Both teams have already been eliminated from contention and will likely be playing for pride. Slovakia is in desperate need of some pride after an embarrassing 1-0 defeat against a punch-less Greece side. Greece entered that game desperate for a win but could not muster much offense throughout the match. However, the team wound up winning thanks a huge own goal from defender Martin Skrtel and goalkeeper Jan Mucha. Skrtel made a routine pass to Mucha near the end of the first half and it seemed like the keeper would just kick the ball out away from an oncoming Greek attacker. However, Mucha whiffed on the kick and saw the ball roll into his unprotected net. That goal proved to be the difference in the match and gave Greece three points that it did not deserve.
Slovakia has 12 points in the group thanks to three wins, three draws, and three losses. The team has scored nine goals in qualifications but has conceded eight in the nine matches it has played.
Latvia only has seven points and has won two games; the remaining matches have consisted of one draw and six defeats. Latvia has conceded 189 goals and has only scored eight times in nine games.
The last time these teams faced off Slovakia won 2-1 at home.
Prediction: The sides draw 1-1 in this match.
Start Time: Kick-off starts at 2 p.m. EST
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