Slovakia vs Norway Prediction & Picks - IIHF World Championship
International - IIHF World Championship
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by Taavi Pailk | in IIHF World Championship Picks
Slovakia starts the action at the 2026 IIHF World Championship with a clash against Norway on Saturday at the BCF Arena in Fribourg, Switzerland.
The Slovaks have done well at back-to-back Olympic tournaments and will want to replicate the success at the Worlds. Recently, they have struggled to live up to their potential at the tournament, failing to advance from the group stage in two of the last three editions.
This time around, Slovakia has a very favorable schedule and must take advantage of the opportunity to build momentum. They are facing Norway, Italy, Slovenia, and Denmark to start the tournament. Vladimír Orszagh’s men will aim to go a perfect 4-0 across that stretch.
Norway can spring a surprise on their day, but the team has been mediocre for more than a decade. They are strong enough to escape relegation but haven’t got enough potential to reach the quarterfinals. The Polar Bears haven’t made it into the last eight since 2012.
Slovakia doesn’t have its strongest squad at the tournament, with Juraj Slafkovsky the most notable absentee. But they should be too strong for the Norwegians, who lost six of seven games at last year's World Championship.
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Slovakia vs Norway Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2
|
15 | 262 | 4 | 1 | +11 |
|
5
|
11 | 262 | 3 | 3 | +2 |
Slovakia and Norway Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
May 9, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 8, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 3, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 2, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 25, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 23, 2026 - International Friendly Games
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
May 9, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 8, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 3, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 2, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 17, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 16, 2026 - International Friendly Games
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
Apr 25, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 23, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Feb 20, 2026 - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
Feb 14, 2026 - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
Feb 13, 2026 - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
Nov 9, 2025 - Germany Cup
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
May 7, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 6, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 1, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 30, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 14, 2025 - IIHF World Championship
Sep 1, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
2/2 (100%)
0/2 (0%)
Aug 30, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
Aug 29, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
May 7, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 6, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 1, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 30, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 14, 2025 - IIHF World Championship
Sep 1, 2024 - Olympic Qualification, Group D
Players list
A. Gajan
S. Hlavaj
V. Kmec
F. Gajdos
S. Knazko
M. Strbak
L. Radivojevic
M. Rosandic
P. Koch
S. Petrovsky
A. Sykora
F. Mesar
M. Fasko-Rudas
J. Minarik
M. Chromiak
A. Kollar
M. Hrivik
M. Pospisil
S. Cederle
A. Liska
O. Okuliar
K. Pospisil
T. Normann
H. Haukeland
K. Ostby
M. Krogdahl
S. Solberg
S. Dilling Hurrod
C. Kasastul
A. Saxrud Danielsen
J. Johannesen
T. Koblar
E. Olsen
M. Eriksen
N. Steen
P. Vesterheim
P. Elvsveen
M. Vikingstad
E. Salsten
M. Ronnild
J. Berglund
H. Salsten
M. Emilio Pettersen
A. Martinsen
Most goals and assists
Slovakia
Norway
M. Hrivik
(4 Goals)
,
M. Chromiak
(4 Goals)
N. Steen
(7 Goals)
M. Rosandic
(5 Assists)
H. Salsten
(4 Assists)
,
J. Johannesen
(4 Assists)
,
P. Vesterheim
(4 Assists)
Slovakia - Norway Key Points
- Slovakia has beaten Norway in five consecutive meetings, scoring 29 goals and posting two shutouts.
- In their most recent head-to-head meeting in December, Slovakia won 7-4.
- When the two teams last met at the World Championship, Slovakia defeated Norway 4-1.
- Leading up to the tournament, Norway has lost three of four friendly games.
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Our Slovakia vs Norway Prediction
Five months ago, the teams clashed in the European Cup of Nations, and Slovakia cruised to a 7-4 victory. Norway hung around for the first period but struggled to match their opponents' quality for the rest of the game.
Saturday’s matchup could have a similar scenario. Slovakia will probably ease into the match before taking control, and once they do, it will be difficult for Norway to keep up.
Our prediction for Slovakia vs. Norway: Slovakia -1.5.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
