10 facts you (probably) didn’t know about England’s opponents Slovenia

England are looking to make it three wins out of three in Group F as they continue their quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, with a trip to Slovenia next up on the schedule on Tuesday night.

But what exactly do we know about tomorrow’s opponents? To be honest, not much. Not off the top of our head anyway.

Well, thankfully SHOOT has you covered, as we have looked into Slovakia’s past and present to discover 10 facts you may not know about the hosts, who are looking to spoil the Three Lions’ perfect start and Gareth Southgate’s interim spell in charge of the national side.

Take a look and impress your mates with these (probable) unknown facts before kick-off…

‘Home Sweet Home’

Slovenia have only lost one of their past nine qualifying games at home – winning six and drawing twice.

However, their last qualification defeat in their own country came against the Three Lions back in June 2015, during the Euro 2016 qualiffication process.

Goals from Jack Wilshere (2) and Wayne Rooney saw Roy Hodgson’s visitors snatch all three points.

England are set to concede 

Slovenia have scored in three of their four previous meetings with England.

Harking back to June 2015 again, as an example, Milivoje Novakovic and Nejc Pecnik netted either side of half-time to threaten a first qualifying defeat for the Three Lions ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

Two previous World Cup finals appearances

Slovenia have only featured at two World Cup finals – Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010.

In the first, they lost all three of their group stage fixtures against Spain, Paraguay and South Africa respectively, leaving them rock-bottom of Group B.

Meanwhile eight years later, they almost progressed to the knockout stages, but ultimately fell one point short.

They kicked off their 2010 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Algeria, before drawing 2-2 with USA.

However, a slim 1-0 defeat to England condemned Slovenia to third-place in Group C. Jermain Defoe bagged the all-important winner (Pictured).

All-time appearance maker

With 93 international caps to his name, defender Bostjan Cesar is Slovenia’s all-time leading appearance maker, and he is set for his 94th cap against the Three Lions on Tuesday night.

The Chievo Verona centre-half, who has netted ten times for his country, starred for Slovenia in their previous 1-0 victory over Slovakia in Group F at the weekend.

Spilt of Yugoslavia

Did you know, Slovenia didn’t officially play their first match until 1992, after the split of Yugoslavia back in 1991.

They were the first of the republics, alongside Croatia, to gain independence from Yugoslavia.

Once internationally recognised by FIFA and UEFA, the new Slovenian national football team played its first official fixture on June 3, 1992, drawing 1-1 against Estonia.

England boast a 100% record

The omens look good for Gareth Southgate’s side heading into tomorrow night’s clash.

The Three Lions have won all four of their previous encounters with Slovenia, scoring nine goals in the process, conceding four times.

In between winning 3-2 last summer prior to Euro 2016 and the 1-0 triumph over Slovenia in South Africa, England recorded a convincing 3-1 win over their opponents in 2014 – their first meeting in the European Championships qualifying group.

A Jordan Henderson own goal gave the visitors a shock lead, but a penalty from Wayne Rooney and a brace from Danny Welbeck saw the Three Lions complete a comfortable comeback.

Meanwhile the two sides’ first-ever meeting came back in September 2009, where strikes from Frank Lampard (pen) and Jermain Defoe secured a slender 2-1 victory in an international friendly.

Slovenia don’t have a national stadium

You read correctly. Instead, the national team rotate its hosting stadia across the country.

In fact, Slovenia have played home fixtures in eight different cities, so far.

However, there are four main venues in three different cities that the team has played the majority of its matches: Bežigrad Stadium (currently closed for renovation), Ljudski vrt, Stožice Stadium and the Arena Petrol.

No nickname

Currently, Slovenia does not have a nickname.

And, according to the press, they were the only participants at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa not to have one.

Spoil sports!

Five Premier League stars

That’s right, five Slovenian stars have graced Premier League football throughout their careers.

They are Milenko Ačimovič (Tottenham), Robert Koren (West Brom, Hull City), Aleš Križan (Barnsley), Aleksander Rodić (Portsmouth) and Haris Vučkić (Newcastle United).

The home of Narnia

We’ll round this feature off with a non-football fact!

‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ was filmed in Slovenia’s Soca Valley. Just so you know.