Kosovo welcome Northern Ireland to Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Prishtina, in a crunch Group 2 clash in League C of 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
Victory could see Kosovo reclaim top spot in the group if Greece lose to Cyprus, whereas a win would see Northern Ireland go second in the group.
Team News
Kosovo have no fresh injury concerns to report following their defeat to Greece on Sunday, despite defender – Mergim Vojvoda withdrawing with injury prior to last week’s win over Cyprus.
Northern Ireland have no fresh injury concerns to report after Sunday’s goalless draw away to Cyprus, although manager – Ian Baraclough could rotate his squad with Connor Bradley, Shayne Lavery and Caolan Boyd-Munce amongst those looking to start here.
Stat Attack
- This is Kosovo’s first-ever meeting against Northern Ireland in all competitions
- Northern Ireland are playing away to Kosovo for the very first time across all competitions.
- Kosovo have lost their two only previous meetings against teams from the British Isles (L2), which both came against England in September and November 2019 respectively.
- Kosovo have failed to win any of their last five competitive matches played at home (D1, L4).
- Northern Ireland have failed to score in four of their last five matches (W1, D2, L2), in which they only scored in a 3-1 win over Luxembourg in a friendly in March 2022.
Prediction
Having comfortably dispatched Cyprus in their opening group match, Kosovo would of been disappointed with Sunday’s narrow defeat to Greece because they did play well but were just outclassed by a single moment of quality so I expect another tough performance here.
Northern Ireland meanwhile know that this is a must-win match for their own promotion hopes after a sluggish start to the campaign, which won’t be helped by another toothless attacking display away to Cyprus where they were marginally the better team but wasted their chances.
In fact, Ireland’s toothless attack is a concern coming into this match because Kosovo can’t be underestimated, amidst the fact that they’ve failed to win any of their last five competitive home matches as they do possess the quality needed to punish a lacklustre attacking team.
I though do expect both teams to turn up and fight hard for the win but something in me thinks Kosovo will just have the edge.
Prediction: Kosovo 1-0 Northern Ireland
Result: Kosovo 3-2 Northern Ireland