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San Marino will take on Albania on Tuesday, 29 September, as the hosts search for the unlikeliest of points in their League C adventure.
The minnows opened their campaign with a 7-0 defeat to Finland, and now face an even trickier test against an Albania side that overcame Belarus on matchday one.
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.
San Marino vs Albania key stats
- San Marino haven't won a match since November 2024.
- Albania haven't conceded a goal in five of their last six victories.
- Albania beat San Marino 5-0 in their most recent clash.
San Marino vs Albania preview: Visitors to run riot
San Marino vs Albania — Tale of the Tape
| San Marino | vs | Albania |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Position | 2nd |
| 0 | Points | 3 |
| 0 | Goals For | 2 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
San Marino will go into every match during this Nations League campaign as rank outsiders, but this is their most difficult match on paper.
Albania are the highest-ranked team in the group and have never even conceded a goal to San Marino before never-mind dropped points to them.
Being promoted to League C was a phenomenal achievement in its own right for San Marino, who are currently the lowest-ranked team in the world following two years of no victories.
While staying up or pushing for promotion again were never realistic goals for this side, they will be desperate to register at least one point.
For the match against Albania on Tuesday, San Marino will be without Alessandro Golinucci following his red card against Finland at the weekend.
As for Albania, there is nothing they can really gain from this match, which is so often the case for sides drawn to face San Marino.
Anything other than an emphatic, high-scoring victory will be frowned upon, both at home and abroad, particularly as manager Rolando Maran hasn't enjoyed a great start in the Albanian hot seat.
After taking over in May, Maran oversaw back-to-back defeats to Israel and Luxembourg, making their victory over Belarus at the weekend much-needed.
On Tuesday, Maran will be without the injured Qasim Laci.
San Marino vs Albania form guide & betting tips
| San Marino | vs | Albania |
|---|---|---|
LDLLL |
Form | LLLLW |
| 3 | Goals For | 3 |
| 13 | Goals Against | 5 |
L |
Nations League | W |
Whispers predicts: San Marino 0-5 Albania
San Marino will be bracing themselves for a tough evening with Albania's extra quality there for all to see. Albania to win (-3.5 handicap) has been best priced at 6/4.
San Marino have never previously scored a goal against Albania. Albania to keep a clean sheet has been priced at 1/3.
Rey Manaj has scored six goals in his last eight appearances for club and country. Manaj to score anytime has been priced at 1/2.
> Albania to win (-3.5 handicap) at 6/4 (2.50) | Likelihood: Probable
> Albania to keep a clean sheet at 1/3 (1.33) | Likelihood: Probable
> Rey Manaj to score anytime at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: Possible