Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Albania
Match Time & Date:
07/09/2018
02:45 PM
Prediction: 3-3
Israel
Albania and Israel find themselves in Group 1 of League C. They had two previous encounters, in the World Cup qualifiers, where they went away with a 3:0 win each. In their third match, once again they find themselves in the same group, fighting to qualify for the Euro 2020. According to their form in the last ten matches, they are evenly matched for this game. Israel have three wins, one draw and six defeats and so do Albania. Both nations have one win and four losses in their last five games, and both have lost their last two games. Albania lost to Ukraine and Kosovo, while Israel was beaten by Romania and Spain. The fans at the Arena in Elbasan will watch a potentially interesting match as both sides will be fighting with Scotland for the top spot in Group 1. We expect a lot of goals, but a tie in the end.
Highlighted Player (Amir Abrashi):
Despite being born in Bischofszell, Switzerland, Amir Abrashi decided to represent Albania on the international stage. The 172-cm-tall footballer was born on 27 March, 1990 and he made his Albania debut on 14 August, 2013 in a friendly against Armenia.
It has to be noted, though, that he played for Swiss youth national teams (U17, U19, U21). Amir Abrashi represented Switzerland at the 2012 Summer Olympics as well. Speaking of his club career, the Albanian footballer made his senior debut for Winterthur II in a goalless draw with GC Biaschesi on 16 May, 2007. Abrashi made 58 league appearances for the first team as well and in 2011 he signed a permanent deal with fellow Swiss side Grasshopper.
After scoring 5 goals in 100 appearances for the club, he joined Freiburg on 3 June, 2015. Abrashi signed a three-year contract with the Bundesliga outfit. He plays for SC Freiburg as a defensive midfielder, but he is capable of producing fine performances as a central midfielder as well.
Highlighted Team (Israel):
Israel are the direct successor of the Mandatory Palestine national football team. The Israelis received full UEFA membership in 1994, 20 years after leaving AFC and they have been facing European sides in the World Cup qualifiers ever since. Israel participated at the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, but they failed to make it to the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament.
The Israeli national football team have yet to qualify for the final stages of the European Championship, but they made it to the quarter-finals of the Olympics on two occasions (1968, 1976). Israel play their home games at both Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa and Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.
Yossi Benayoun is the most famous and the most capped Israeli footballer and it has to be noted that the pacey midfielder played for the likes of Racing Santander, West Ham United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the past. Israel play their home games in blue shirts and blue shorts, whilst they wear white shirts and white shorts when playing on the travels.
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