The hosts are battling for promotion. UEFA Nations League prediction: Kosovo vs Israel
Kosovo
Kosovo and Israel will meet on Saturday, November 14, in the fifth round of the UEFA Nations League in League B. The match will be played at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, with kick-off at 15:00 Central European Time. I’m backing goals in this game.
H2H and stats
- Israel are winless in their last four matches.
- Kosovo have never lost to Israel, recording one win and two draws.
- Neither side has scored in the first half of a match in the current Nations League campaign.
Kosovo: Muriqi’s return should bolster the attack
Kosovo opened the group stage with a narrow 1-0 home win over Ireland. However, Franco Foda’s side then suffered a 3-1 away defeat to Austria. Kosovo drew 0-0 with Israel in the third round, before sharing the points with Austria at home in their latest match, which ended 1-1. Kosovo sit second in Group B3, three points behind Austria and ahead of Ireland on goal difference.
The hosts’ main problem is a lack of goals. They have scored just three times in four rounds, with two of those goals coming against Ireland and Austria. Their defence, meanwhile, has looked fairly well organised: after conceding three goals against Austria, Kosovo kept Israel off the scoresheet and held the group leaders to a draw at home.
The big news for Kosovo is the return of Vedat Muriqi. The Fenerbahçe striker missed the previous meeting with Israel but is now back at the coaching staff’s disposal. His presence should give the hosts more power in the box and provide another option for crosses. Edon Zhegrova is another player capable of making things happen: his skill and ability to beat opponents one-on-one could pose a major problem for Israel’s defence.
Franco Foda has named several new faces in his squad, including defender Lindrit Kamberi and young players Bleon Kurtulus and Enis Reçhepi. The hosts also have extra motivation: they can close the gap on Austria and preserve their advantage over Ireland before the final round.
Israel: two draws and two defeats in their opening matches
Israel began the tournament with a 3-1 away defeat to Austria. They then lost to Ireland by an even wider margin, 3-0. In the third round, Israel were unable to beat Kosovo, settling for a goalless draw, and in their latest match they shared the points with Ireland after a 1-1 draw. As a result, the team have just two points after four rounds and sit bottom of Group B3.
The numbers highlight the problems facing Ran Ben Shimon’s side. Israel have scored just two goals and conceded seven, giving them the worst goal difference in the group. They have particularly struggled against opponents who exploit the space in behind the defence. The 3-0 defeat to Ireland was a case in point: Israel failed to get their attack going and allowed far too many dangerous chances at their own end.
Manor Solomon remains one of the national team’s key players. His pace, dribbling and ability to create chances out wide could be a major weapon in Pristina. Israel are also counting on Oscar Gloukh, who can operate between the lines and make attacks more dangerous with his passing and individual play. The team need their leaders to deliver at the same time: in previous rounds, Israel have too often lacked quality in the final third.
The squad for the November matches had to be put together with several players unavailable. The trip to Pristina is especially important for Israel: a defeat would almost certainly leave them with no chance of climbing off the bottom, while a win would put them back in the fight to stay in the division.
Predicted line-ups
- Kosovo: Saypi, Kurtulus, Krasniqi, Raci, Vojvoda, Gallapeni, Hodza, Avdullahu, Zhegrova, Zaberxha, Muriqi.
- Israel: Tzur, Revivo, Stoinov, Dasa, Feingold, Peretz, Azulay, Gandelman, Gloukh, Abada, Turgeman.
What’s the best bet?
Kosovo look like the favourites. The hosts have been more consistent and hold the advantage in the table. Israel, meanwhile, are struggling at both ends of the pitch: two goals in four rounds is a modest return for a team that need to win. That said, the visitors can still cause problems through the individual quality of their key players. Kosovo’s head-to-head record is another point in their favour: Israel have never beaten them. I expect a game that is not particularly entertaining, and my bet is under 3 goals.
