The Matchday 5 clash in the 2025 World Junior Championship between Slovakia and Kazakhstan will take place on December 30 at the TD Place Stadium in Ottawa. Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Slovakia
Slovakia suffered their second defeat in the tournament, losing 2-4 to the Czech Republic in their last match. Notably, the team has not scored more than two goals in regulation time in any of their three matches at the current World Junior Championship and has one of the lowest scoring rates in their group, with only Kazakhstan scoring less. Slovakia has three points and sits third in Group B.
- Slovakia has scored at least 8 goals in regulation time in 3 of their last 4 head-to-head meetings at the World Junior Championship.
- The team has lost in regulation time in 4 of their last 5 matches in this tournament (1 in OT).
- No more than two goals have been scored in the first period in 9 of Slovakia's last 11 matches at the World Junior Championship.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan suffered a heavy 2-14 defeat to the Czech Republic in their last tournament match. The team was outshot by their opponents twofold. Notably, Kazakhstan managed to score one of their goals on the power play. This is the team's second loss in the tournament, and they have conceded the most goals in the current World Junior Championship (22 goals). Without any points, Kazakhstan is at the bottom of Group B.
- No more than seven goals have been scored in regulation time in 23 of Kazakhstan's last 27 official matches.
- Kazakhstan has lost by at least seven goals after three periods in all their matches in the current World Junior Championship.
- The team has scored at least two goals in regulation time in 10 of their last 11 official games.
Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan: Match Prediction
Kazakhstan has so far faced only the leaders of their group in the current World Junior Championship, where they struggled to showcase their full potential. However, Kazakhstan still has a theoretical chance of making the playoffs, considering that their main rival for retaining a spot in the elite has also yet to score points, so the team can still fight.
In the current World Junior Championship, Kazakhstan scored a couple of goals against the Czechs and even managed to score against the Swedes, who are known for their strong defense. Slovakia, Kazakhstan's next opponent, has conceded fewer than four goals only against Switzerland in this tournament, while their opponents have scored at least twice in regulation time in 8 of their last 10 matches at the World Junior Championship.
I believe Kazakhstan will manage to score a couple of times against their next opponent. In 10 of their last 11 official matches, the team has scored at least two goals after three periods, and they are currently motivated.
My prediction: Kazakhstan Individual Total Over 1.5