SM
Arsenal vs. Chelsea: 8 hrs 52 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
AN
World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage
Sep 8, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
 
SM

Albania
5 - 0
San Marino

Manaj (32'), Laci (58'), Broja (61'), Hysaj (68'), Uzuni (80')
Roshi (77')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Tomassini (19')

Preview: Albania vs. San Marino - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Albania vs. San Marino - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Wednesday's World Cup Qualifying - Europe clash between Albania and San Marino, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

After picking up a crucial three points against Hungary on Sunday, Albania will be looking to keep the pressure on the two top places in Group I of the World Cup 2022 qualification.

They will face San Marino on Wednesday, who currently sit at the foot of the table having yet to register a single point within the competition.


Match preview

Albania currently find themselves in third, with the 1-0 victory against Hungary during their last outing proving to be vital as they leapfrogged them in the table to be just one point behind Poland.

Group I's two top teams will face each other on Wednesday as England travel to play the Eagles, which increases the pressure on Edoardo Reja's squad heading into this game.

Young Chelsea striker Armando Broja came off the bench to score an 87th-minute winner on Sunday, helping his team earn their third victory of the qualification process so far.

Albania have been inconsistent as of late, with two victories, two defeats and a draw in their last five games, but they will be keen to pick up consecutive wins here in order to build some momentum.

The two teams have already collided in this group back in March and it was Reja's men who came out on top with a 2-0 victory after goals from Rey Manaj and Myrto Uzuni.

This was just one of five losses for San Marino, who have been beaten in each game to this point, only managing to score one goal, which came in their most recent performance against Poland on Sunday.

However, Nicola Nanni's finish did not prove to be meaningful as they suffered their biggest loss in the group to date, being beaten 7-1 in a game to forget for the squad.

San Marino certainly head into this fixture as the underdogs and any form of a result would be a huge positive for them, with the team ranked 210th in the FIFA rankings.

Albania World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Albania form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W

San Marino World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

San Marino form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

Team News

After finding the back of the net against Hungary, Broja could have earned himself a place in the starting lineup heading into Wednesday's clash with San Marino.

At the other end of the pitch, Etrit Berisha will be set to start in goal after keeping a clean sheet against Hungary as he continues to fight to be the number one goalkeeper for his country.

Experienced forward Sokol Cikalleshi was an unused substitute on Sunday, but he could be provided some game time within the fixture against San Marino as well.

The visitors will be sure to start Nanni after he was able to score in the heavy defeat against Poland, but there could also be an opportunity for Mirko Palazzi and Fabio Tomassini to play after making an impact from the bench.

Albania possible starting lineup:
Berisha; Ismajli, Kumbulla, Djimsiti; Doka, Trashi, Abrashi, Gjasula, Bajrami; Cikalleshi, Broja

San Marino possible starting lineup:
Benedettini; D'Addario, Fabbri, Brolli, Rossi, Palazzi; Lunadei, Golinucci, Mularoni; Nanni, Vitaioli


We say: Albania 5-0 San Marino

Anything other than a victory for Albania would be a huge surprise from this fixture, with three points being expected from Reja's squad here.

Considering San Marino's history, it is going to be a game where the hosts will be looking to score as many as possible in case goal difference proves to be vital.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__462465 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-06 18:05:30:
html db last update - 2021-09-06 08:34:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Thursday's World Cup qualifying predictions including Hungary vs. England
Liverpool 'hold talks with Ligue 1 manager amid Amorim doubts'
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal33235577265174
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

NEW

1

TW

Man United 'plotting £232m swoop for three top summer targets'

NEW

2

MU

With Hamilton joining, Ferrari to sign F1 title sponsor

NEW

3

WH

Kovalainen makes F1 commentary return after surgery

NEW

4

KM

Midweek Premier League predictions: Public Order's Elis Lloyd-Jones vs. Sports Mole

NEW

5

MP

Liverpool 'hold talks with Ligue 1 manager amid Amorim doubts'

6

L'

Preview: Arsenal vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PA

Tuesday's League One predictions including Cambridge vs. Wycombe

8

TL

Tuesday's League Two predictions including Barrow vs. Bradford City

9

TL

Tuesday's Transfer Talk Update: Grealish, Silva, Cucurella

10

TT


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .