Albania has an opportunity to advance from League C of the Nations League by defeating Finland at Arena Kombetare on Thursday. The home team currently leads their group with nine points from a possible twelve, while Finland is in third place with seven points and faces elimination with a loss.
Albania narrowly won their last Nations League match against San Marino on October 6 with a penalty in the 93rd minute. A similar performance at Arena Kombetare could be detrimental. While a win would secure first place for Albania, Belarus is second with seven points and would need to lose to San Marino for that to happen. Albania has scored eight goals and conceded only three in the Nations League, maintaining two clean sheets. Coach Rolando Maran has a record of three wins and three losses in his six games, but the team has won three of their last four matches, a significant improvement after losing their previous five.
Finland experienced a 1-0 defeat against Belarus in the Nations League on October 6, conceding early. Despite having the best goal difference in the group, having scored nine and conceded two, this loss placed them behind Belarus due to their head-to-head record. Finland did manage to defeat Albania 2-1 in their earlier encounter on October 3 and has a strong record against Albania, with four wins and one draw in their last five meetings. Coach Jacob Friis’s team has lost only one of their last four matches, though they have been defeated in four of their last seven games. Finland’s away record is concerning, having lost seven of their last ten road games, with only one victory.
Albania’s Nations League form includes wins and a loss, while their overall form shows a mix of wins and losses. Finland’s Nations League form includes wins, a draw, and a loss, with their overall form also being mixed.
In terms of team news, Albania’s Rey Manaj, who has scored twice in the Nations League, is expected to start, possibly alongside Ernest Muci and Arber Hoxha. Ylber Ramadani and Kristjan Asllani are likely to form a midfield pivot, with Klisman Cake, Ardian Ismajli, and Mario Mitaj potentially forming a three-man defense. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha, who was sent off in the previous match against Finland, is available after serving his suspension.
Finland is expected to field a lineup similar to the one that beat Albania previously, with Leo Walta, who scored both goals in that victory, likely to start in midfield. Samuli Miettinen and Miro Tenho are probable starters in defense, and Joel Pohjanpalo is a likely candidate for the striker position.
Albania’s possible starting lineup is Berisha; Cake, Ismajli, Mitaj; Hysaj, Ramadani, Asllani, Pilios; Muci, Manaj, Hoxha. Finland’s possible starting lineup is Hradecky; Stahl, Miettinen, Tenho, Lahteenmaki; Kairinen, Markhiev, Walta; Svanback, Pohjanpalo, Hakans.
Our prediction is a 2-1 victory for Albania. The match is expected to be closely contested with opportunities for both sides. However, Finland’s inconsistency away from home, combined with Albania’s improved home form, makes the hosts the favorites at Arena Kombetare.
OUR VERDICT:DOUBLE CHANCE & TOTAL GOALS
ALBANIA OR DRAW & TOTAL GOALS OVER 1.5
