Albania take on Iceland in League B Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday.

The match is essentially a dead rubber, after Albania's 2-1 defeat in Tel Aviv on Saturday saw Israel promoted to League A.

Match preview

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Albania travelled to Tel Aviv knowing that only a win would be good enough to keep alive their hopes of an unlikely promotion to the top tier of the Nations League.

However, after a goalless first half, Shon Weissman broke the deadlock less than a minute into the second half, but Myrto Uzuni looked to have snatched a point for the visitors with only two minutes to spare.

Israel were not to be deterred in their quest for promotion, though, with Tai Baribo bagging an injury-time winner to send Bloomfield Stadium into raptures.

For Albania, there is no risk of relegation as Russia have already been demoted following the military invasion of Ukraine, but they will want to beat Iceland and finish second in the group.

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Iceland may have been even more gutted than Albania when Baribo's strike found the back of the net, as it ended their own chances of leapfrogging Israel into top spot in League B Group 2.

At 1-1, Amar Vidarsson's side would have travelled to Tirana with the prospect of victory providing them with an instant return to League A, having been relegated from that section last time out without a single point to their name.

However, regardless of the outcome on Tuesday, they will compete in League B once again, which is perhaps a better level for a nation that has consistently punched above its weight considering fewer than 400,000 people live within the country.

After beating Venezuela 1-0 in a friendly in Austria on Thursday, they will feel confident of avoiding defeat against Albania and holding onto second spot in the group in the process.

Team News

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Albania are without Endri Cekici and Keidi Bare due to injury, leaving Edoardo Reja's side a little light in central midfield.

The 76-year-old could hand Uzuni a start in attack after his goalscoring impact from the bench against Israel.

Iceland, meanwhile, have had an extra two days' recovery compared to their opponents, so could name the same starting XI that beat Venezuela on Thursday.

As such, captain Aron Gunnarsson is likely to move onto 99 caps as he chases down a century of appearances for his country.

Albania possible starting lineup:
Strakosha; Balliu, Ismajli, Ajeti, Hysaj; Gjasula, Abrashi, Asllani, Laci; Uzuni, Broja

Iceland possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Palsson, Bjarnason, Magnusson, Olafsson; Sigurdsson, Porsteinsson, Haraldsson; Gunnarsson, Poroarson, Finnbogason

We say: Albania 1-1 Iceland

Iceland have drawn all three of their Nations League matches in this campaign, and we can envisage that run continuing on Tuesday.

Neither side have much to play for, so they may be content with avoiding defeat.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Brett Curtis

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