Albania square off against Faroe Islands on Monday evening looking for the win that will guarantee top spot in Group E.
At a time when the home side have already secured a place at Euro 2024, the visitors are bottom with just one point to their name.
Match preview
While Albania qualified for Euro 2016 and have been on an upward curve for some time, earning a spot at Euro 2024 was not expected with Czech Republic and Poland in their group.
That particularly rings true when they lost 1-0 to the latter in their opening fixture, but a seven-game undefeated streak has remarkably led to qualification with a match to spare.
Wins and clean sheets over Poland and Czech Republic in September and October proved to be decisive, leaving a 1-1 draw in Moldova on Friday enough to seal a top-two place.
Conceding in the 87th minute took nothing away from their achievement, Sylvinho and his squad simply delighted to return to the big stage.
Nevertheless, they will now be determined to confirm first place and ensure a better seeding, potentially aiding their cause in Germany as they bid to show that they will not just be there to make up the numbers.
Despite avoiding the big names when the draw was made, it has proven to be an arduous qualifying period for Faroe Islands, whose solitary point came on matchday one versus Moldova.
Since them, six successive defeats have been posted, scoring just one goal in the process, taking away the momentum that had been generated from their respectable UEFA Nations League campaign beforehand.
Hakan Ericson will want to end the nation's fixtures for 2023 on a high, and they can take positives from only losing 1-0 away to Czech Republic in their most recent competitive match.
On Thursday, they went down 2-0 to Norway in what was another solid effort, keeping Erling Haaland off the scoresheet in the second half, and they may throw a bit more caution to the wind on Monday with nothing but pride to play for.
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Team News
With much still to play for, Sylvinho is unlikely to tinker too much with his Albania XI as they bid to wrap up the group.
The solitary alteration could come in attack with Mirlind Daku potentially getting the nod over Sokol Cikalleshi, although he did score from the penalty spot on Friday.
That said, with Armando Broja not in the squad and Cikalleshi having 13 international goals to his name, experience may win out.
Ericson would have been satisfied with how Faroe Islands performed against Norway, yet that may not prevent alterations being made.
Rene Joensen and Joannes Bjartalid were half-time introductions in that fixture and could start, while experienced forward Klaemint Olsen may return after remaining as an unused substitute in the recent friendly.
Albania possible starting lineup:
Berisha; Hysaj, Ismalji, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Ramadani, Asllani, Bajrami; Asani, Cikalleshi, Seferi
Faroe Islands possible starting lineup:
Reynatrod; Faero, Askham, A. Edmundsson; Danielsen, Hendriksson, G. Vatnhamar, Davidsen; Bjartalid, Olsen, Johansen
We say: Albania 3-0 Faroe Islands
Despite their qualification, Albania still have targets to meet, and that is unlikely to bode well for their opponents. We expect the home side to breeze to success in Tirana ahead of their return to major tournament football next year.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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