Slovenia vs Czechia Prediction & Picks - IIHF World Championship
International - IIHF World Championship
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by Taavi Pailk | in IIHF World Championship Picks
After opening the 2026 IIHF World Championship with a comfortable victory over Denmark on Friday, Czechia returns to action Saturday against Slovenia at the BCF Arena in Fribourg, Switzerland.
Denmark limited Czechia to 19 shots on goal, but the seven-time world champions showed that, even without David Pastrnak, they have plenty of firepower. Four different players scored for Czechia in a 4-1 win.
Radim Rulik’s side is expected to dominate again on Saturday. Slovenia is without L.A. Kings superstar Anze Kopitar and hasn’t performed well at this stage. In the two editions they have played in the top division this decade, the Slovenians have lost 13 of 14 games.
In 2025, Slovenia managed to stay in the top division by finishing ahead of France in the group stage. The Lynx won the head-to-head meeting in the final round of action 3-1. Four of their six losses came by at least a three-goal margin, as the team finished with a minus-20 goal difference.
Slovenia will hope to frustrate Czechia early on, but the team simply doesn’t have enough talent to make this game competitive. They are a weaker side compared to Denmark, meaning Czechia should be capable of generating more scoring chances than they did on Friday.
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Slovenia vs Czechia Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3
|
13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
|
7
|
6 | 262 | 1 | 4 | -12 |
Slovenia and Czechia Latest Matches
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
May 9, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 7, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 25, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 24, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 16, 2025 - IIHF World Championship
Sep 1, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
2/2 (100%)
0/2 (0%)
May 7, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Sep 1, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
May 9, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 25, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 24, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 16, 2025 - IIHF World Championship
Aug 30, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
Aug 29, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
May 15, 2026 - IIHF World Championship
May 10, 2026 - Rosno Cup
May 9, 2026 - Rosno Cup
May 7, 2026 - Rosno Cup
May 3, 2026 - Rosno Cup
May 2, 2026 - Rosno Cup
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
May 15, 2026 - IIHF World Championship
May 7, 2026 - Rosno Cup
May 3, 2026 - Rosno Cup
May 2, 2026 - Rosno Cup
Apr 24, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 17, 2026 - International Friendly Games
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
May 10, 2026 - Rosno Cup
May 9, 2026 - Rosno Cup
Apr 30, 2026 - Rosno Cup
Apr 23, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Feb 18, 2026 - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
Feb 15, 2026 - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
Players list
Z. Us
L. Horak
J. Golicic
A. Magovac
R. Bohinc
A. Crnovic
J. Cosic
B. Gregorc
M. Stebih
J. Sodja
Z. Jezovsek
L. Maver
N. Simsic
M. Torok
F. Sitar
M. Mahkovec
M. Bericic
J. Drozg
A. Kuralt
R. Sabolic
R. Ticar
K. Ograjensek
D. Pavlat
J. Korenar
J. Tichacek
M. Alscher
T. Cibulka
T. Galvas
M. Kempny
F. Hronek
L. Hajek
J. Chmelar
M. Melovsky
J. Cernoch
J. Flek
D. Kubalik
L. Sedlak
D. Vozenilek
J. Mandat
M. Kovarcik
M. Kaut
O. Beranek
D. Tomasek
R. Cervenka
Most goals and assists
Slovenia
Czechia
J. Drozg
(3 Goals)
D. Kubalik
(4 Goals)
R. Sabolic
(4 Assists)
D. Tomasek
(5 Assists)
Slovenia - Czechia Key Points
- In their last head-to-head meeting, Czechia beat Slovenia 6-2.
- Czechia has a perfect 5-0 all-time record against Slovenia, averaging five goals per game.
- Slovenia lost two of its last three pre-tournament friendlies, allowing 11 goals over that stretch.
- In the last two IIHF World Championship top division participations, five of Slovenia’s 13 losses have come by at least a four-goal margin.
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Our Slovenia vs Czechia Prediction
While Czechia needed a two-goal third period to wrap up a victory against Denmark, their job is expected to be easier on Saturday against a lesser team. They have won the last two head-to-head clashes with a combined score of 11-3.
At last year’s World Championship, Slovenia allowed 4.14 goals per game and scored only nine times in seven outings. They are likely to face a barrage of shots in Saturday’s game and won’t have much offensive zone time.
Our prediction for Slovenia vs. Czechia: Czechia -3.5.
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