Albania will host the Czech Republic as they look to move to the top of Euro 2024 qualifying. Currently, the home team is leading the group by two points over the visitors, who still have a game remaining.
Preview (Albania vs. Czech Republic)
Albania has only ever made it to the Euros once, in 2016. They have 10 points from their first five group-stage games. They have put themselves in a great position to make it there next summer. With only three games remaining, the Red and Blacks are two points ahead of Moldova in third place. They are four points ahead of Poland in fourth place. They also have a favorable final matchup in November when they host the Faroe Islands. Therefore, Sylvinho’s team would be in a very strong position to qualify with a victory on Thursday night. Their prior performance suggests they may be able to achieve just that. They went unbeaten in their previous four group-stage matches.
Up until this point, Albania has gone undefeated at home, winning both contests by scores of 2-0. They picked up an impressive three points against Poland in their most recent game. The Eagles earned a crucial point in the rematch against their next opponents in Prague. They will face the only unbeaten team in Group E on Thursday. In fact, the Czech Republic has not yet suffered a loss in a Euro 2024 qualifying match. They amassed eight points from their first four games—winning two and drawing two. The Locomotive earned a point against Moldova by drawing 0-0, in addition to their 1-1 draw with Albania.
Jaroslav Silhavy’s team demonstrated in their opening game that they have what it takes to qualify for the Euros for the eighth consecutive year by easily defeating Poland 3-1 before going on to easily defeat the Faroe Islands 3-0. Last time out, the Czech Republic drew 1-1 away to Hungary, extending their unbeaten streak to six games across all competitions. Vaclav Jurecka scored his first goal for his nation since 2013.
Team News
Ardian Ismajli, the center-back for Albania, is expected to miss the game due to a knee injury, which could allow Frederic Veseli to replace him in the defense alongside Berat Djimsiti. Sylvinho will have a fully healthy squad to choose from on Thursday night, but AS Roma defender Marash Kumbulla will not play due to a persistent knee problem. With Alex Kral out with a leg injury for the Czech Republic, Michal Sadilek may replace captain Tomas Soucek in center midfield.
Due to Jindrich Stanek’s absence due to a concussion, Jiri Pavlenka will continue to start in goal, and Patrik Schick’s injury, Adam Hlozek might be the visitor’s starting center forward. Albania has performed better than expected in their Euro 2024 qualifying matches up until this point, and with a victory on Thursday night, they might move a step closer to securing a spot in the competition. However, in the opposite matchup, the two countries appeared to be quite evenly matched, so we anticipate another tie.
Albania 1 – 1 Czech Republic
For more football previews, click here
