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Albania could clinch first place in their UEFA Nations League C group, but they will need to claim three points against visitors Finland on Thursday at Arena Kombetare.
Sitting in first place with nine points from four games, the hosts can at the very least secure a promotion playoff spot with a victory, whereas Finland are in third place with seven points and could be eliminated if they lose.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Albania vs Finland key stats
- Both teams have scored in four of the last five games between Finland and Albania.
- Albania have scored at least two goals in three of their four Nations League clashes.
- Exactly three goals have been scored in three of the last five meetings between the two sides.
Albania vs Finland preview: The hosts to clinch Nations League promotion?
Albania vs Finland — Tale of the Tape
| Albania | vs | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Position (Nations League) | 3rd |
| 9 | Points | 7 |
| 8 | Goals For | 9 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
With just two games left to play in the group stage, Albania are in an incredible position from which to secure promotion to Nations League B, though they would need to win and hope San Marino beat second-placed Belarus for that to happen on Thursday.
However, second place would guarantee a promotion playoff spot, and that would be secured with three points on Thursday irrespective of other results.
Manager Rolando Maran is still relatively new in the job having only overseen six matches as boss of the national team, but he will be pleased to have won three of his last four games in charge.
Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha was sent off when Albania clashed with the visitors in October, but after serving a suspension, he is now available for selection.
Finland are tied with Belarus with seven points, but they were beaten 1-0 by them on October 6 after drawing 0-0 on September 29, meaning they cannot finish ahead of them if they end the group stage level on points as head-to-head records are the first tiebreakers.
It would be understandable if boss Jacob Friis was somewhat frustrated by his team's position considering they have scored the most goals (nine) and conceded the fewest (two) of the four countries in the group.
The visitors beat Albania 2-1 on October 3, and that was their fourth victory in five meetings with their hosts, a period in which they avoided defeat.
In the backline, perhaps Samuli Miettinen and Miro Tenho will be paired together ahead of shot-stopper Lukas Hradecky.
Albania vs Finland preview form guide & betting tips
| Albania | vs | Finland |
|---|---|---|
WWLW |
Form | WDWL |
| 9 | Points | 7 |
| N/A | Form Table | N/A |
| 8 | Goals For | 9 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 2 |
LWWLW |
Form (All Comps) | LWDWL |
Whispers predicts: Albania 2-1 Finland
With Albania boasting home advantage, the bookmakers have priced an Albanian win favourably at 10/11 (1.91).
Considering both teams have scored in four of the last five games between Albania and Finland, it would make sense to back Both Teams to Score at 1/1 (2).
Albania have scored at least two goals in three of their four Nations League clashes, so it could be worthwhile to bet Over 1.5 Goals for Albania at 6/5 (2.2).
Given exactly three goals have been scored in three of the last five meetings between the two sides, it may be sensible to back Exactly Three Goals at 7/2 (4.5).
> Both Teams to Score at 1/1 (2) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 1.5 Goals for Albania at 6/5 (2.2) | Likelihood: Possible
> Exactly Three Goals at 7/2 (4.5) | Likelihood: Possible