Romaniavs.Kosovo

The Tricolorii's perfect record gives them a three-point lead coming into this month's finale, and only finishing first will guarantee promotion.

Match preview

After maintaining their perfect Group 2 record in October, Romania sit top of the table with a tally of 12 points so far, putting them firmly on course for promotion to Europe's second tier.

Dennis Man's early goal secured an early lead in Cyprus, before the Tricolorii went on to seal a 3-0 win; three days later, they defeated Lithuania 2-1 in Kaunas thanks to a second-half strike from Denis Dragus.

In September, not long after their Euro 2024 journey had ended at the first knockout stage, the Romanians had swept aside Kosovo and Lithuania - scoring three goals on both occasions - and laying down a marker for what was to come.

Mircea Lucescu's side will now be automatically promoted with one game to spare if they avoid defeat to Kosovo at Bucharest's Arena Nationala, and winning the group would also improve their prospects of gaining a back-door World Cup playoff.

Since Lucescu replaced Edward Iordanescu in the summer - returning to the national-team hotseat some 38 years after his first spell - Romania have continued to progress up the FIFA world rankings, recently reaching 43rd, and they are intent on continuing that trend.

Although Kosovo kicked off their latest Nations League campaign with a 4-0 defeat to Romania in September, when Man and Dragus were both on target in Pristina, they have since bounced back in some style.

Over the next three games, they have scored nine times and conceded just once while collecting maximum points, all of which has opened up a six-point gap to third place.

In addition to beating Cyprus home and away, Franco Foda's men were victorious in Lithuania last month, as goals from Ermal Krasniqi and Lille star Edon Zhegrova secured a 2-1 success.

Currently on course for a promotion playoff when the group stage concludes next week, beating their hosts in Bucharest would keep alive Kosovo's faint hopes of taking top spot.

Either way, former Austria coach Foda - who has posted four wins from seven since his arrival in February - seems to be taking the Dardanians along the right path, and they are now eyeing a place in League B.

Romania Nations League form:

W

W

W

W

Romania form (all competitions):

D

L

W

W

W

W

Kosovo Nations League form:

L

W

W

W

Kosovo form (all competitions):

L

L

L

W

W

W

Team News

Mircea Lucescu named a 26-man squad for this month's Group 2 finale, with four fresh faces among them; heading towards his 80th birthday, Romania's veteran coach has selected a familiar group led by captain Nicolae Stanciu.

Once again, Trabzonspor centre-forward Denis Dragus should spearhead a 4-3-3 setup, supported by Parma pair Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila.

Former Inter Milan and Reading striker George Puscas has been dropped, though, with FSCB's Daniel Birligea being called up instead - the latter has scored three goals in four Europa League appearances this season.

Cluj defender Matei Ilie is a surprise inclusion following his recent return from injury, while Alexandru Chipciu's exclusion means that Nicusor Bancu will be the Tricolorii's only conventional left-back.

Kosovo, meanwhile, are missing wingers Milot Rashica and Ermal Krasniqi, attacking midfielder Bersant Celina and Koln left-back Leart Paqarada due to injury.

In better news for Franco Foda, all-time top scorer Vedat Muriqi - who boasts an international tally of 28 goals - is back in the squad after being sidelined by a muscular injury last month.

In the absence of several attacking colleagues, the Mallorca striker and Edon Zhegrova will therefore shoulder most of the burden up front.

Romania possible starting lineup:

Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; R. Marin, M. Marin, Stanciu; Man, Dragus, Mihaila

Kosovo possible starting lineup:

Muric; Vojvoda, Am. Rrahmani, Aliti, Rrudhani; Jashari, V. Berisha; Zhegrova, Muslija, Bytyqi; Muriqi

We say: Romania 2-1 Kosovo

Amid some fierce animosity between fans, which stems from clashes during the Euro 2024 qualifiers, a fascinating battle for first place should play out on the pitch.

Kosovo have proven their goal threat since being battered by Romania in September, so they can at least score once - however, the hosts are too hot to handle at League C level.

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