Albania and Israel will square off in the UEFA Nations League on Friday evening with the opportunity to move to the top of League B Group 2.
The opening two fixtures in this three-team group have ended in draws, throwing open the opportunity for one of these nations to take full control with victory in Tirana.
Match preview
© Reuters
With Russia out of the picture due to Vladimir Putin's military invasion of Ukraine, Albania, Israel and Iceland already know that they will be spared relegation to the third tier.
In theory, that frees up three similarly-matched nations to go hell for leather in search of promotion to League A, and the competitiveness has been highlighted with draws occurring in the opening fixtures.
Albania's stalemate came in Iceland on Monday, Taulant Seferi's first-half goal being cancelled out by an equaliser soon after the break in Reykjavík.
All things considered, head coach Edoardo Reja will view a draw away from home as a point gained, the result representing the nation's best result since a win in Hungary in October.
However, it extended a run of just one victory being posted in their last six outings, that sole success coming at home to Andorra courtesy of a late penalty.
The Eagles are far from firing on all cylinders, and they will play this fixture without some key players, including Armando Broja who has tested positive for coronavirus.
Israel probably stand as the marginal favourites to progress from this group, but it took an 84th-minute equaliser at home to Iceland to ensure that they did not end matchday one without getting a point on the board.
While Alon Hazan will remain confident of eventually securing qualification, failure to take advantage of one of their home fixtures could prove pivotal come September.
The Blue and Whites have lost four successive games on their travels, conceding 14 goals in the process to Denmark, Scotland, Austria and Germany.
- D
- L
- L
- W
- L
- D
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
- L
- D
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Unless Broja surprisingly returns from coronavirus, Albania may line up with the same starting XI from the Iceland fixture.
Frederic Veseli and Bekim Balaj are both experienced alternatives should Reja opt to freshen up his side.
Shon Weissman should be drafted into the Israel team after netting his second goal for his country as a substitute against Iceland.
Mahmoud Jaber made a positive impression on his debut in that game and could be preferred to Mohammad Abu Fani in midfield.
Albania possible starting lineup:
Berisha; Balliu, Djimsiti, Ismajli, Kumbulla, Hysaj; Gjasula, Abrashi; Cekici; Seferi, Cikalleshi
Israel possible starting lineup:
Marciano; Dasa, Goldberg, Miguel Vitor, Leidner; Peretz, Jaber, Karzev; Abada, Weissman, Solomon
We say: Albania 1-1 Israel
With relegation not an option for either of these nations, they are free to throw caution to the wind in the search of glory. Nevertheless, there is very little between the two teams, and we feel that a low-scoring draw is the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
