Albaniavs.Czech Republic

The Czechs travel to Tirana having beaten their Albanian counterparts in Prague last month, taking them one point clear at the top with two rounds remaining.

Match preview

After opening their 2024-25 Nations League campaign with a 2-1 away win over Ukraine in September, Albania's challenge for first place in Group 1 then faltered, following defeats to Georgia and Czech Republic.

Sylvinho's side completed their October camp on a brighter note, though, by beating Georgia 1-0 in Tbilisi thanks to Kristjan Asllani's second-half strike.

With six points on the board so far - one shy of the Czechs but also just two clear of last-placed Ukraine - Albania's fate cannot be decided until the final matchday, whatever the result this weekend.

Both of their last two fixtures will be played in Tirana, so Sylvinho can at least target a second-place finish, which would earn the Kuqezinjte a promotion playoff.

Reaching League A and mixing with Europe's elite would cap off several years of steady progression for Albanian football, but the threat of dropping down into League C has yet to be dismissed.

Like their hosts, Czech Republic bowed out early at Euro 2024, and they were surely suffering a hangover from that group-stage exit when losing 4-1 to Georgia in their first Group 1 contest.

After edging out Ukraine in a five-goal thriller just a few days later, the Czechs sparked a revival and ultimately overtook Georgia by claiming four points from two games in October.

Ivan Hasek's side first posted a 2-0 home victory over Albania, with Tomas Chory netting a brace, before being held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine in Wroclaw.

Having been demoted from League A in the last Nations League, promotion back to the top tier has been their sole target throughout the current campaign, and they can now secure first place with one game to spare.

If they win on Saturday and Georgia lose to Ukraine, no-one would be able to catch them next week, when the group stage reaches its finale.

Albania Nations League form:

W

L

L

W

Albania form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

L

W

Czech Republic Nations League form:

L

W

W

D

Czech Republic form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

W

D

Team News

Albania's preparations for back-to-back home games have been disrupted by a foot injury suffered by Besiktas forward Ernest Muci in training, meaning his presence against the Czech Republic is in some doubt.

Armando Broja - on loan at Everton from parent club Chelsea this season - is still missing from Sylvinho's squad, alongside Rey Manaj, so Czech-based striker Indrit Tuci will vie with Mirlind Daku to start up front.

Experienced defenders Marash Kumbulla and Berat Djimsiti have already pulled out, leaving the hosts with a couple of gaps to fill at the back.

For the first time, 19-year-old midfielder Feta Fetai has been called up to the senior team, but several familiar faces will headline the hosts' starting XI: captain Elseid Hysaj of Lazio, Inter Milan playmaker Kristjan Asllani, and Rangers attacker Nedim Bajrami.

Czech Republic, meanwhile, will again be without star striker Patrik Schick, who is set to stay in Leverkusen due to a minor injury, amid claims of a fall-out with coach Ivan Hasek.

The visitors have also seen defensive trio Ladislav Krejci, Martin Vitik and David Zima withdraw this week, in addition to Viktoria Plzen midfielder Lukas Kalvach.

In Schick's ongoing absence, Tomas Chory - whose goals decided last month's reverse fixture - should lead the line, with support from Bajrami's clubmate in Glasgow, Vaclav Cerny.

Albania possible starting lineup:

Strakosha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Ajeti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Bajrami, Hoxha; Tuci

Czech Republic possible starting lineup:

Kovar; Coufal, Jemelka, Holes, Boril; Soucek, Cerv; Cerny, Sulc, Provod; Chory

We say: Albania 1-2 Czech Republic

In a finely balanced group, there is little to choose between all four nations, but Czech Republic have momentum on their side and may claim top spot.

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