Czechia vs Albania Preview, Prediction, Team News, and Lineups | Nations League, October 11, 2024

Czechia vs Albania Preview

Tournament: UEFA Nations League Group Stage

Date: Friday, October 11, 2024

Time: 6:45 pm GMT

Venue: Epet Arena, Prague, Czech Republic

Czechia will take on Albania in a crucial Group 1 clash in League B of the UEFA Nations League 2024-25. Epet Arena in Prague will host the contest on Friday, October 11.

Both sides find themselves chasing Georgia in the group, who sit at the top with two wins in two games and six points. Both Czechia and Albania have one win and one defeat each but the latter sit second in the table due to a better goal difference.

Both sides came into the Nations League on the back of group-stage exits at the UEFA Euro 2024. Regardless, they both put in good performances against some giants of European football and will look to take that confidence into the Nations League.

Their upcoming clash could be a crucial one to determine who proceeds to the next stage from Group 1 of League B. Ukraine, meanwhile, form the last member of the group and sit at the bottom with two defeats.

Czechia National Football Team News

Czechia will have their entire team available for the clash.

Albania National Football Team News

Albania will be without centre-back Berat Djimsiti. He is currently nursing a thigh injury and is expected to return later this month.

Czechia vs Albania Predicted Lineups

Czechia national football team predicted lineup:

Goalkeeper: Matej Kovar

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal, Martin Vitik, Ladislav Krejci, Jaroslav Zeleny

Midfielders: Tomas Soucek, Lukas Cerv, Lukas Provod

Attackers: Vaclav Cerny, Tomas Chory, Pavel Sulc

Albania national football team predicted lineup:

Goalkeeper: Thomas Strakosha

Defenders: Elseid Hysaj, Ardian Ismajli, Marash Kumbulla, Mario Mitaj

Midfielders: Ylber Ramadani, Kristjan Asllani, Nedim Bajrami

Attackers: Jasir Asani, Rey Manaj, Arber Hoxha

Also Read: Norway vs Slovenia Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Nations League | October 10, 2024

Czechia vs Albania H2H Record

In their last three meetings, Czechia have won once, Albania have won once and one of their clashes has ended in a draw.

Last 5 results:

Albania 3-0 Czechia – UEFA Euro Qualifiers – October 13, 2023

Czechia 1-1 Albania – UEFA Euro Qualifiers – September 8, 2023

Czechia 3-1 Albania – International Friendlies – June 8, 2021

Key Players to watch in Czechia vs Albania

Pavel Sulc

Pavel Sulc is Czechia’s attacking midfielder but can play as a forward as well. He also plays for Viktoria Plzen at club level. Sulc has been in decent form off late and will look to be the main attacking threat against Albania.

Sulc has scored six goals and provided three assists in 16 games across competitions for Viktoria Plzen this season so far. For Albania, he’s recorded two goals and one assist in six caps. Both of the 23-year-old’s goals for his national side came in their 3-2 win over Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League during last month’s international break.

Arber Hoxha

For Albania, the player to watch out for will be Arber Hoxha, the left winger, who can also play in different positions in attack. At the club level, Hoxha plays for the Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. He’s scored two goals in 13 games across competitions for them this season.

For Albania, meanwhile, he is yet to open his account in nine appearances so far. It’s important to note that he’s started just twice in those nine appearances. Considering his form and competition, Hoxha is likely to start against Czechia. He will be keen to get his first goal for his country and guide them to all three points.

Czechia vs Albania Prediction

Both sides have had less-than-ideal starts to their UEFA Nations League 2024-25 campaign. Czechia suffered a disappointing 4-1 loss against Georgia in their opening game. However, they bounced back to beat Ukraine 3-2.

Albania, meanwhile, beat Ukraine 2-1 but lost 1-0 against Georgia. Both sides sit on the same points and this could be a crucial match to decide who eventually proceeds to the next stage of the competition.

Albania are ranked 67 in the FIFA World Rankings while Czechia are ranked 46^th. Both sides have just one win in their last five games across competitions. However, Albania have been a force to be reckoned with in recent times and will give Czechia a tough fight. It’s hard to pick between the two sides and it’s likely to end in a draw.

Predicted Score: Czechia 1-1 Albania

Also Read: Hungary vs Netherlands Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Nations League | October 11, 2024

Where to watch Czechia vs Albania Live?

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