Albania Vs Israel
Albania Vs Israel Friday, 10 June 2022 – 19:45 (BST)
UEFA Nations League
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 23/20
Bookmaker: Coral
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 7 June 2022)
Preview: Air Albania Stadium in Tirana hosts Friday’s Group B2 fixture between Albania and Israel, with the victor – should there be one – moving top of the group. Can the home side produce a repeat of their 1-0 win on home soil during the inaugural UEFA Nations League season?
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Table of Contents
Albania – Red and Blacks can build on Iceland point?
A return of 11 points from six group game was sufficient enough for Albania to earn promotion during the previous edition of this competition, pipping Belarus and, to a lesser extent, Lithuania to top spot in what turned out to be a competitive section in League C. Their reward was to be drawn in Group B2 alongside Iceland and Israel, with the other group member, Russia, barred after their invasion of Ukraine.
With no relegation on the table for either team, it is now a three-way shootout for promotion. Albania already have their first point, though may feel a tinge of disappointment that they couldn’t protect a 1-0 lead in Iceland on Monday, drawing 1-1 in Reykjavik. It left Kuq e Zintje (Red and Blacks) still seeking a first win of 2022 (D2 L1), having done so just once across their last six internationals (D2 L3).
Key Stat: Following the 1-1 draw away to Iceland on Matchday 1, Albania have gone seven consecutive matches scoring no more than one goal. They’ve only managed multiple goals twice in their last 15 matches, and both times were against San Marino.
Israel – Goals will flow as usual?
Those seeking some entertainment in the absence of club football need look no further than Israel games. All but one of their past 13 fixtures have seen three or more goals, totalling 58 for an average of 4.4 per game. This trend wasn’t to be bucked upon bracing League B of the UEFA Nations League for a second time, beginning this season’s Group B2 campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw at home to Iceland.
The Blue and Whites required an 84th minute equaliser to rescue a point from a contest in which they carved out twice as many attempts on goal. Maintaining their winless year so far (D2 L1). They’ve now won two of their past eight internationals (W2 D2 L4), with their gung-ho approach not conducive to winning matches. Especially on the road, losing each of their last four said fixtures by a combined score of 4-14.
Key Stat: A 2-0 friendly loss in Germany in Israel’s most recent away international ended a sequence of seven successive away games with four or more goals.
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Albania Vs Israel Betting Advice
An intriguing fixture awaits in Tirana, in that we couldn’t get more contrasting styles if we tried. Whereas Albania do their utmost to keep their matches close, seeing seven of their last nine feature no more than one team scoring and five of the last seven go Under 2.5 for goals, Israel seek to create havoc. The latter’s past 13 matches have seen 58 goals, leading to Over 2.5 Goals in 12 and BTTS in nine.
Albania Vs Israel – Key Facts:
- The nations are meeting for the fifth time. All four previous encounters produced a decisive outcome, sharing two wins. None featured both teams scoring though.
- Both teams are chasing a first win of 2022 (both are D2 L1 so far this year). Albania do, however, boast wins in three of their last four at home, and six of the last nine (D1 L2).
- Israel have seen 12 of their last 12 matches contain three or more goals. However, they are on a four-match losing run away from home, conceding 14 times in the process.
At the odds, then, I cannot look past three or more goals at odds-against as being value. While I do recognise Albania’s preference is to keep things tight, playing at home against such obliging guests ought to lower inhibitions. Israel know their strengths reside in their attack, so will get on the front foot regardless. Their last four away contests ended in defeat, though, shipping 14 goals and at least two each time.
Best Betting Odds – Albania Vs Israel
Albania – 27/20 (Bet365)
Draw – 11/5 (BetFred)
Israel – 11/5 (WilliamHill)
