Preview: Albania vs. Bulgaria - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when Albania sit on the brink of a rare appearance at a major tournament, Bulgaria remain in the doldrums after a dismal campaign.

Match preview

While Albania are not exactly strangers to the European Championship on the back of their maiden outing in 2016, they were not fancied to sit at the top of a group with Poland and Czech Republic with two fixtures remaining.

However, the Eagles have, so far, produced their best-ever qualification campaign, collecting 13 wins from six matches to sit four points clear with two games left.

Although Czech Republic still have a game in hand, Albania will secure their spot at Euro 2024 if they defeat either Moldova or Faroe Islands in their November double-header.

Sylvinho's side have reached such a position with back-to-back victories over Poland and Czech Republic in succession, the latter being trounced 3-0 on Thursday in what may prove to be the most significant scoreline in Group E.

Their performances are all the more impressive having been without star man Armando Broja throughout the entire campaign, as well as putting together a five-game undefeated streak after losing their opening group game in Poland.

In sharp contrast, Bulgaria have made it 20 years without qualification for a major competition after a hugely disappointing effort in Group G.

Although the Lions were not fancied to finish ahead of either Hungary or Serbia, collecting two points in a group that also features Montenegro and Lithuania has highlighted their fall down the international pecking order.

There was a three-game spell towards the end of 2022 that suggested that a revival may be on the cards, but Bulgaria have now failed to win in eight matches, stretching back to last November.

Mladen Krstajic witnessed his side, not helped by a first-half red card, lose 2-0 at home to Lithuania on Saturday, and there will be an eagerness to end one of their worst years in international football.

Albania form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

W

W

Bulgaria form (all competitions):

L

D

D

L

L

L

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Team News

Sylvinho would have hoped to hand some minutes to Broja, but the Chelsea forward has since returned to his club having been not fit enough to feature in either match.

Changes are expected to be made, though, with Thomas Strakosha, Frederic Vesili, Qazim Laci and Myrto Uzuni all in contention for starting roles.

Forward Marvin Cuni is the only uncapped player in the squad and the Frosinone man will hope to make his debut at some stage.

Although Andrian Kraev was sent off against Lithuania, his ban will occur for the next qualifier, so he could retain his spot in the Albania side.

Krstajic will want to find a balance with his alterations, yet 13 of this squad have fewer than 10 caps to their name, highlighting that more international experience is required.

Dimitar Mitov, Simeon Petrov, Patrik-Gabriel Galchev, Hristo Ivanov and Martin Minchev may all be given starting roles.

Albania possible starting lineup:

Strakosha; Veseli, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj; Laci, Ramadani; Asani, Bajrami, Uzuni; Cikalleshi

Bulgaria possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Gruev, S.Petrov, Dimitrov; Galchev, Ivanov, Kraev, M.Petkov; Despodov, Minchev, Delev

We say: Albania 2-1 Bulgaria

The home side are likely to make some changes for this contest in a bid to strengthen their depth and experience. Nevertheless, given the trajectories of the two nations, we still believe that Albania will come through with a hard-fought win.

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