Italy vs Slovakia Prediction & Picks - IIHF World Championship
International - IIHF World Championship
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by Taavi Pailk | in IIHF World Championship Picks
After sneaking past Norway in its 2026 IIHF World Championship opener, Slovakia hopes to have an easier day at the office against Italy on Sunday at the BCF Arena in Fribourg, Switzerland.
On Saturday, Kristian Pospisil gave Slovakia a perfect start against Norway with a goal 8:15 into the first period, but the team couldn’t get out of third gear. Ultimately, a third-period tally from Martin Hrivik was needed to get three points on the board with a 2-1 victory.
Italy started its tournament with a 6-0 loss to Canada. The Blues had a tough time hanging with the NHL superstars right from the off, allowing three first-period goals. Keeping Team Canada off the scoreboard in the third frame will give Italy some confidence. However, they are among the weakest teams in the tournament and could end up chasing shadows again on Sunday.
Slovakia’s offense was disappointing in Saturday's contest, but this game will have helped the team shake off some rust. They should play with much better rhythm against Italy, which isn’t used to competing at this level. After dropping out of the top division in 2022, it took several years for Italy to regain a spot among the world's top 16 hockey nations.
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Italy vs Slovakia Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5
|
11 | 262 | 3 | 3 | +2 |
|
8
|
1 | 7 | 0 | 6 | -23 |
Italy and Slovakia Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
May 16, 2026 - IIHF World Championship
May 12, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 10, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 2, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 30, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 26, 2026 - International Friendly Games
1/5 (20%)
4/5 (80%)
May 16, 2026 - IIHF World Championship
May 12, 2026 - International Friendly Games
May 10, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Feb 13, 2026 - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
Feb 4, 2026 - International Friendly Games
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
May 2, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 30, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 26, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 25, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Apr 16, 2026 - International Friendly Games
Feb 17, 2026 - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
May 16, 2026 - IIHF World Championship
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
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
May 16, 2026 - IIHF World Championship
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
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
Italy against Slovakia : Head to Head (H2H)
0 %
100 %
Feb 13, 2026 - Ice hockey - Men's Olympic Tournament
Players list
D. Fadani
J. Smith
G. Nitz
D. Di Perna
G. Gios
P. Pietroniro
P. Spornberger
A. Trivellato
L. Zanatta
C. Buono
A. Segafredo
T. Purdeller
T. De Luca
M. Zanetti
B. Misley
L. Frigo
N. Saracino
C. DiGiacinto
M. Mantinger
M. Bradley
D. Mantenuto
M. Frycklund
E. Rabcan
A. Gajan
F. Gajdos
S. Knazko
L. Radivojevic
M. Strbak
V. Kmec
M. Rosandic
P. Koch
A. Sykora
F. Mesar
M. Fasko-Rudas
S. Petrovsky
J. Minarik
M. Chromiak
M. Hrivik
M. Pospisil
S. Cederle
A. Liska
O. Okuliar
K. Pospisil
A. Kollar
Italy - Slovakia Key Points
- In the 21st century, Slovakia has won five of six games against Italy.
- Slovakia beat Italy 3-1 in their last World Championship clash in 2022.
- In the World Championship top division, Italy has lost 15 consecutive games.
- During its last top-division appearance in 2022, Italy lost four of seven games by at least three goals.
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Our Italy vs Slovakia Prediction
In 2022, Italy went winless and picked up only one point in the top division, finishing with a minus-20 goals difference. Their matchup with Canada showed that things could be very similar in 2026.
Canada outshot Italy 41-19. The Italians spent a lot of time without the puck and will carry some heavy legs in their clash against Slovakia, which could also benefit from having more hours to rest.
Our prediction for Italy vs. Slovakia: Slovakia -2.5.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
