SportsMall previews Tuesday's Nations League clash between Kosovo and Cyprus, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Continuing their quest for promotion UEFA Nations League, Kosovo And Cyprus Meet at Pristina City Stadium on Tuesday evening.
separated by three dots League C Group 2 StagesThe hosts sit in second place after their win at the weekend, while their visitors are further behind following a heavy defeat.
Competition preview
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Kosovo left Kaunas with maximum points on Saturday, beating Lithuania 2-1 to regain Group 2 with Lille winger. Eden Zecroa And Ermel Krasniki Sparta Prague scored either side of half time.
The hosts reduced their advantage in the 84th minute after a glaring error by the goalkeeper Aamir SaibiThen he redeemed himself with a crucial late save.
As a result, Kosovo still sit second in the table, three points behind leaders Romania, leaving them in the playoffs for promotion when the group stages conclude next month.
Head coach Franco fuck He has now recorded three wins from six since his arrival in February, and with home games against the group's bottom two teams still to come, the Dardanians will be confident of promotion to League B.
Ranked 104th in the world by FIFA, Kosovo were well beaten in their opening game – a 3-0 loss to Romania – but ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-0 win in Cyprus last month; Now they are looking for a result again on home ground.
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Following that disastrous defeat in September – their third straight Nations League loss to Kosovo in the space of three years – Cyprus failed to recover when they returned to action at the weekend.
Three goals down before half-time against Romania, they were eventually beaten 3-0 by the Euro 2024 finalists in Larnaca, meaning they have now lost each of their last six competitive home matches by an aggregate score of 19-1.
Halfway through their latest Nations League campaign, the 123rd-ranked nation in FIFA's latest world rankings sit third in Group 2 and are still in danger of some relegation.
Lithuania has yet to take a point, however, meaning Sophronis AvgostiThere is a buffer between the page and the last space; And with a second place finish for the playoffs, promotion isn't entirely beyond them.
However, Cyprus have conceded 11 goals in three meetings with Kosovo to date and current form suggests they may struggle to keep a clean sheet in Pristina.
Kosovo Nations League Format:
Kosovo Format (All Matches):
Cyprus Nations League Format:
Cyprus Format (All Matches):
Group messages
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Kosovo will once again be without their all-time top goalscorer Break the Vedas On Tuesday, the Mallorca striker – who took his international tally to 28 last month with a brace against Cyprus – was still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
In the absence of their attack talisman, the host's attack must be directed Albion RahmaniMostly supported Milot Rashika and Eden Zecroa.
as Elvis Rexbagage should be suspended, Muharrem Jashari Can drop into central midfield while being the Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanette Muric Hope to regain his place between posts.
Meanwhile, Cyprus could make changes at the back after conceding seven goals in their last two games – but their main man up front should remain intact.
aik striker John Pittas He averaged over a goal in every other game at the Allsvenskan this year and is expected to link up forward with Hellas Verona and lead the line again. Grigoris Kastanos.
Kosovo Possible starting line-up:
Muric; Vojvoda, yes. Rahmani, Alidi, Rudani; Jashari, V. Berisha; Jegrova, Muslija, Rashika; Al. Rahman
Cyprus Probable Starting Lineup:
the mall? Karo, Gogic, Laifis, Ioannou; Kousoulos, Charalampous; Loizou, Kastanos, Tzionis? Pitas
We say: Kosovo 2-0 Cyprus
Not only do Cyprus have a terrible record against their Kosovan counterparts, they are in a clear downward spiral.
Even without their star striker, the hosts have momentum on their side and will need to beat opponents who usually struggle to close the backdoor.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
