Preview: Kosovo vs. Faroe Islands - prediction, team news, lineups

The National Team suffered a 5-0 loss to Czech Republic on Wednesday, while Kosovo will enter the non-competitive contest off the back of a 2-2 draw with Armenia.

Match preview

Kosovo have never qualified for the finals of a World Cup, and they will not be present at the 2022 edition of the tournament, winning just once during a difficult qualification campaign, which left the bottom of Group B.

Alain Giresse's side did enjoy a relatively successful UEFA Nations League campaign, though, winning three and losing three of their six matches to finish second in League C Group 2 behind Greece.

Kosovo's last competitive match saw them record a 5-1 victory over Cyprus at the end of September, while they were in friendly action against Armenia on Wednesday, playing out a 2-2 draw with the Mountaineers.

This game will represent the team's final match of the year, and they will then not be back in action until next March, beginning their Euro 2024 qualification campaign against Israel.

Giresse's team will also face Andorra, Belarus, Romania and Switzerland in Group I, and they will be bidding to reach the finals of the competition for the first time.

Faroe Islands, meanwhile, suffered a 5-0 loss to Czech Republic on Wednesday, which proved to be their first defeat since the start of June.

Hakan Ericson's side finished their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Turkey at the end of September, which left them third in League C Group 1.

Faroe Islands picked up eight points from their six matches courtesy of a record of two wins, two draws and two defeats, and they will now be bidding to return to winning ways ahead of the start of their Euro 2024 qualification campaign against Moldova next March.

The National Team will also face Albania, Czech Republic and Poland in Group E, as they bid to qualify for the finals of a major tournament for the first time in their history.

Kosovo International Friendlies form:

W

D

D

Kosovo form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

W

D

Faroe Islands International Friendlies form:

L

L

Faroe Islands form (all competitions):

L

W

D

D

W

L

Team News

There is not a great deal of experience in the current Kosovo squad, with many making their first appearances for the national side against Armenia last time out.

Lirim M. Kastrati has scored twice for Kosovo and is expected to again feature in the final third of the field, with teenager Agon Sadiku potentially earning just his second cap.

Visar Bekaj will captain the national side from between the sticks, while there is expected to be a spot in the starting XI for Young Boys midfielder Donat Rrudhani.

As for Faroe Islands, Klaemint Olsen is the leading goalscorer in the squad with 10, and the 32-year-old is set to lead the line for the visitors here.

Viljormur Davidsen is the most experienced outfield member of the squad with 62 caps, and he is set to line up at the back for the National Team.

Solvi Vatnhamar is also set to start, while the inexperienced Andrass Johansen and Paetur Petersen will be hopping to gain minutes in the final third of the field.

Kosovo possible starting lineup:

Bekaj; R Kastrani, Dellova, Sadriu, Haliti; Rrudhani, Jashari, Veliu, Ferati; M Kastrati, Sadiku

Faroe Islands possible starting lineup:

Nielsen; Davidsen, Nattestad, Rolantsson, Vatnhamar; Joensen, Johannesen, Vatnhamar, Hansen; Olsen, Bartalsstovu

We say: Kosovo 1-1 Faroe Islands

Both sides will fancy their chances of picking up a positive result in this match, and we are expecting it to be a close affair on Saturday. It would not be a surprise to see a home or away victory, but we are backing a low-scoring draw in this contest.

Previews by email