Albania and Israel meet in the UEFA Nations League on Friday with the opportunity to move to the top of League B Group 2.
The opening two matches 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.
With Russia out of the picture due to the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s military, Albania, Israel and Iceland already know that they will be spared relegation to the third tier.
In theory, that frees up three similarly-matches nations to go as fast as possible in search of promotion to Division A, and the competitiveness has been highlighted with draws coming in the opening fixtures.
Albania’s draw came in Iceland on Monday, Taulant Seferi’s first-half strike being cancelled out by an equaliser soon after the break in Reykjavik.
All things considered, manager Edoardo Reja will view a draw away from home as a point gained, with the result representing the nation’s best result since a win in Hungary in October.
However, that extended a run of just one victory being posted in their last six matches, that only success coming at home to Andorra through a late penalty.
Albania are far from firing on all cylinders, and they will play this game 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 an 84th-minute equaliser at home to Iceland ensured they did not end matchday one without a point.
While Alon Hazan will remain confident of eventually securing qualification, failure to take advantage of one of their home matches could prove pivotal come September.
Israel have lost four successive matches on their travels, conceding 14 goals in the process to Denmark, Scotland, Austria and Germany.
Albania vs Isreal head to head
The two national teams have previously met on only four occasions in the World Cup Qualification and the UEFA Nations League, where they have claimed two victories each. Albania have scored four goals and conceded five in the process. In their last meeting, Israel picked up a 2-0 home win.
Albania 0-3 Isreal 12/11/16
Israel 0-3 Albania 11/06/17
Albania 1-0 Israel 07/09/18
Israel 2-0 Albania 14/10/18
Albania latest home form
Albania have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Georgia in their last home game in a friendly match. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded just one.
Albania 1-0 Hungary 05/09/21
Albania 5-0 San Marino 08/09/21
Albania 0-1 Poland 12/10/21
Albania 1-0 Andorra 15/11/21
Albania 0-0 Georgia 29/03/22
Albania latest away form
Albania have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their seven most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Iceland in their last away game in the National League. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 12.
Poland 4-1 Albania 02/09/21
Hungary 0-1 Albania 09/10/21
England 5-0 Albania 12/11/21
Spain 2-1 Albania 26/03/22
Iceland 1-1 Albania 06/06/22
Israel latest home form
Israel have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their six most recent matches. They drew 2-2 with Iceland in their last home game in the UEFA Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored 14 goals and conceded nine.
Israel 5-2 Austria 04/09/21
Israel 2-1 Moldova 12/10/21
Israel 3-2 Faroe Island 15/11/21
Israel 2-2 Romania 29/03/22
Israel 2-2 Iceland 02/06/22
Israel latest away form
Israel have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, as they have lost each of their four most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Germany in their last away game in friendly match. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded 14.
Faroe Island 0-4 Israel 01/09/21
Denmark 5-0 Israel 07/09/21
Scotland 3-2 Israel 09/10/21
Austria 4-2 Israel 12/11/21
Germany 2-0 Israel 26/03/22
Albania news
Unless Armando Broja makes a return from his coronavirus infection, Albania are likely to line up with the same starting XI take took to the pitch in the game against Iceland.
Frederic Veseli and Bekim Balaj are both experienced alternatives should head coach Edoardo Reja opt to freshen up his side.
Israel news
Shon Weissman is likely to be drafted into the Israel starting lineup after scoring his second goal for his country as a substitute aganst Iceland.
Mahmoud Jaber made a positive impression on his debut in that game and could be a better alternative to Mohammad Abu Fani in the midfield.
Prediction and Odds
With relegation not an option for either of these two sides, they are free to throw caution to the wind in search of a victory.
However, there is very little to separate the two teams, and we have a feeling that the contest is likely to end in a draw.
Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.00 2 2.20
Probable outcomes
Albania 0-0 Israel
Albania 1-1 Israel
Albania 2-2 Israel
Albania 0-1 Israel
Albania 1-0 Israel
