Czechia vs Albania Preview, Prediction, Team News, and Lineups | 2024 UEFA Nations League.
The UEFA Nations League Group 1 clash between Czechia and Albania is set to unfold on October 11, 2024, at the Epet Arena in Prague. This match carries significant weight as both teams vie for a spot at the top of the group standings. Currently, Georgia leads the group with six points from two victories, while both Czechia and Albania are closely trailing, each with one win and one loss. This article delves into the match preview, predictions, team news, lineups, and frequently asked questions surrounding this highly anticipated encounter.
Match Details
- Tournament: UEFA Nations League Group Stage
- Date: Friday, October 11, 2024
- Kick-off Time: 6:45 PM GMT
- Venue: Epet Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
Czechia vs Albania Preview
Group Dynamics
As Czechia and Albania prepare to face off, both teams are aware of the implications of this match for their Nations League aspirations. They enter the game following exits in the group stages of UEFA Euro 2024, where they showcased commendable performances against European giants. This clash presents an opportunity for both teams to reclaim confidence and build momentum in the Nations League.
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Czechia and Albania currently sit in joint positions, but Albania occupies second place due to a superior goal difference. The stakes are high as both teams seek to secure a vital three points in a match that could dictate their paths in the tournament.
Historical Context
In their previous encounters, Czechia and Albania have exhibited a balanced rivalry. Out of the last three meetings, each team has claimed one victory, with one match ending in a draw. Their most recent clash saw Albania triumph 3-0 in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers on October 13, 2023. This history adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming match.
Team News
Czechia National Team News
Czechia is expected to field a full-strength squad for this encounter. They will look to build on their recent performances, which included a significant 3-2 victory against Ukraine after a disappointing 4-1 loss to Georgia. With the entire squad available, Czechia will aim to establish their attacking prowess early in the game.
Albania National Team News
For Albania, the situation is slightly more complicated. The team will be without Berat Djimsiti, their key center-back, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Djimsiti is anticipated to return later this month, but his absence could be felt in the defensive line as Albania looks to secure a crucial result against Czechia.
Predicted Lineups
Czechia 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 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
Head-to-Head Record
Recent Encounters
- 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
This record indicates that while Czechia has historically been strong, Albania has recently improved its standing in head-to-head matchups, making this upcoming fixture particularly intriguing.
Key Players to Watch
Pavel Sulc (Czechia)
Pavel Sulc is an attacking midfielder who also has the versatility to play as a forward. Currently plying his trade with Viktoria Plzen, Sulc has been in decent form and will be a key player for Czechia in this fixture. His contributions this season include six goals and three assists in 16 games across all competitions. Additionally, he has made a mark for the national team, scoring two goals in six appearances, both of which came in a thrilling 3-2 win over Ukraine in the Nations League last month.
Arber Hoxha (Albania)
Arber Hoxha is a left winger known for his pace and creativity. Currently playing for Dinamo Zagreb, Hoxha has netted two goals in 13 appearances for his club this season. Although he has yet to score for Albania in nine appearances, he has shown glimpses of his potential and will be looking to find the back of the net against Czechia. His performance in this match could be crucial for Albania’s chances of securing a win.
Czechia vs Albania Prediction
Both teams have experienced mixed results in their UEFA Nations League campaigns thus far. Czechia’s journey began with a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Georgia, followed by a much-needed victory over Ukraine. Meanwhile, Albania managed to secure a 2-1 win against Ukraine but faced a setback with a 1-0 loss to Georgia.
Given the competitive nature of this match and the recent form of both teams, predicting the outcome is challenging. Albania, ranked 67th in the FIFA World Rankings, has shown they can be a formidable opponent. Czechia, sitting at 46th, will rely on their home advantage and recent improvements.
Considering all factors, the match is likely to end in a 1-1 draw, as both teams may struggle to assert dominance over one another.
Where to Watch Czechia vs Albania Live
Fans can catch the live action of the Czechia vs Albania match through various broadcasters:
- USA: Fox Sports
- UK: ITV
- India: Sony LIV
- Czechia: CT Sport
- Albania: TV Klan
- Nigeria: SuperSport
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is the Czechia vs Albania match scheduled?
The match is scheduled for October 11, 2024, at 6:45 PM GMT.
2. Where will the match take place?
The match will take place at Epet Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
3. What is the significance of this match in the UEFA Nations League?
This match is crucial for determining the standings in Group 1 of League B, as both teams are vying for a spot in the next stage of the tournament.
4. What is the current FIFA ranking of Czechia and Albania?
Czechia is currently ranked 46th, while Albania holds the 67th position in the FIFA World Rankings.
5. Who are the key players to watch in this match?
Pavel Sulc for Czechia and Arber Hoxha for Albania are expected to be pivotal in their teams’ performances.
6. Is there any injury news for the teams?
Czechia has no injury concerns, while Albania will be without Berat Djimsiti due to a thigh injury.
7. How have both teams performed in their recent matches?
Czechia recently defeated Ukraine 3-2 after losing 4-1 to Georgia, while Albania won against Ukraine 2-1 but lost 1-0 to Georgia.
8. What are the predicted lineups for both teams?
Czechia: Kovar; Coufal, Vitik, Krejci, Zeleny; Soucek, Cerv, Provod; Cerny, Chory, Sulc.
Albania: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Kumbulla, Mitaj; Ramadani, Asllani, Bajrami; Asani, Manaj, Hoxha.
9. Where can I watch the match live?
The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports in the USA, ITV in the UK, and Sony LIV in India, among other channels.
10. What are the expectations for this match?
Both teams are likely to battle fiercely for points, making a draw a plausible outcome based on their recent performances.
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