Both Ukraine and Albania will fancy their chances of qualifying from Group 1 of the Nations League B this season as the pair prepare to face one another on Saturday.
Georgia and Czechia make up the rest of the group with all four teams fairly evenly matched which should make for some very entertaining games of football.
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Ukraine vs Albania prediction: Goals expected at the epet ARENA
Key Stats
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of Ukraine's last five fixtures.
- Four of Albania's last five matches have witnessed at least three goals.
- The last three head-to-heads between these two nations all ended with both teams scoring.
- Both teams have scored in three of Albania's last four fixtures.
Correct score prediction: Ukraine 2-2 Albania
With there being no home advantage in this game but Ukraine having never lost to Albania in six previous meetings, we're backing a 2-2 draw between the pair in Prague.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Ukraine the bookmaker's choice
- HOME: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
- DRAW: 11/4 (3.75) – 26.7%
- AWAY: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ukraine are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 55.6%, and we tend to agree with the bookmakers on this one.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Ukraine dominate
Ukraine have never lost against Albania before, picking up five wins and a draw from the duo's previous six encounters.
Ukraine preview: Only won two of last six
Ukraine have not been in the best of form over the past three months, picking up two wins, two draws and two defeats.
Despite picking up four points during the group stage at Euro 2024, Ukraine failed to qualify for the knockout round.
Oleksandr Karavayev, Serhiy Kryvtsov and Oleksandr Zubkov have not been selected for the latest Ukraine squad but Oleksandr Zinchenko is fit after missing most of Euro 2024 through injury.
Predicted lineup: Trubin (GK), Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Tymchyk, Mykolenko, Tymchyk, Shaparenko, Zinchenko, Sydorchuk, Yaremchuk & Dovbyk
UEFA Nations League B 10/09/24
L
Czech Republic
3
Ukraine
2
UEFA Nations League B 07/09/24
L
Albania
2
Ukraine
1
Euro 2024 26/06/24
D
Belgium
0
Ukraine
0
Euro 2024 21/06/24
W
Slovakia
1
Ukraine
2
Euro 2024 17/06/24
L
Romania
3
Ukraine
0
Albania preview: Impressed in Germany
Albania gave a really good account of themselves at their first major international tournament despite bowing out at the first hurdle.
A narrow defeat to Italy was followed up by a draw with Croatia and another narrow defeat to the eventual winners Spain in their three group games.
There are a few players missing from the last squad due to injury including Armando Broja, Keidi Bare, Berat Gjimshiti, Arlind Ajeti and goalkeeper Etrit Berisha.
Predicted lineup: Strakosha (GK), Ismajli, Hysaj, Balliu, Mitaj, Laci, Ramadani, Bajrami, Asllani, Asani & Manaj
UEFA Nations League B 10/09/24
L
Georgia
1
Albania
0
UEFA Nations League B 07/09/24
W
Ukraine
1
Albania
2
UEFA Regions Cup 20/08/24
D
Central Scotland Region
0
Albania
0
Euro 2024 24/06/24
L
Spain
1
Albania
0
Euro 2024 19/06/24
D
Croatia
2
Albania
2
Player to watch: Mykhailo Mudryk
Mykhailo Mudryk probably hasn't done enough for club or country since bursting onto the scene at Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 23-year-old made a big-money move to Chelsea in 2023 and has played 62 times in all competitions for the English club, scoring just seven goals.
Hasn't set the world alight since his big-money move to Chelsea
Since making his debut for Ukraine in 2022, Mudryk has only scored twice in 23 caps but with the talent at his disposal, we're expecting more from the Chelsea man over the next year or so starting with a much-improved performance this weekend against Albania, even if that is from the bench as an impact substitute.
