Kosovo V Czech Republic
Saturday 7th September 2019 – 14:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification
Pick: Czech Republic to Win
Odds: 29/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39/20 | 11/5 | 7/5 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 4th September 2019 at 10:45)
Preview: Second meets third in Group A, as Kosovo welcome Czech Republic to their capital city of Pristina for what could be a defining afternoon in Euro 2020 Qualification for these two countries. It will also be the first ever meeting between these two nations.
Euro 2020 Qualification Betting – 22Bet
Kosovo Preview – Long unbeaten record on the line?
Within a short space of time Kosovo have gone from being the latest nation to be accepted by both UEFA and FIFA, to being genuine contenders for Euro 2020 qualification following an unbeaten start in Group A. Three games played has returned five points, which is only one less than both England and Czech Republic have managed so far. Although the former do boast a game in hand.
Victory here, therefore, would see the team currently ranked 120th in the latest FIFA Rankings climb up into first position, albeit probably for a couple hours at the most with current leaders England in action shortly after. It would, however, put them in control of their own destiny as far as qualification is concerned, with three points sufficient enough for them move above the Czechs into second place at the midway point.
Their stunning 3-2 victory in Bulgaria in their latest group fixture means they cannot be discounted either. That result, along with earlier draws at home to Bulgaria (1-1) and in Montenegro (1-1), now mean Kosovo have not lost a competitive international match since October of 2017 – winning six of eight games in the intervening period. Granted a lot of those were against mediocre opposition but it is, nevertheless, positive form which can only be beneficial in building momentum and team morale.
Czech Republic Preview – Capable Czechs could make mockery of their odds?
The Czechs have successfully qualified for each of the previous six European Championships, which is a phenomenal record when you consider some of the big names to have missed out in recent times. Yet that fine record could come under serious scrutiny were they not to collect a positive result from this trip to Kosovo, facing a side hot on their heels in the race to finish in the top two in Group A.
For the time being at least, it is they who remain in command of second position. Back-to-back victories over Bulgaria, winning 2-1 at home and 3-2 away, went some way to atoning for what was a pathetic display in London, where they lost the opening match of the group 5-0 to England. Their buffer over Kosovo in third is only one point though, which means defeat in Pristina would pile all the pressure straight back onto themselves.
Recent results on the road highlight a team that is clearly capable – wins at Poland (0-1) and Slovakia (1-2), for example – but their away form now reads W2 L4 following that emphatic scoreline in England, having lost away in Ukraine (1-0), Russia (5-1) and Australia (4-0) since the beginning of 2018. Capable yet vulnerable would be one way of describing them when pressed to travel, and trying to predict which version of the Czech Republic appear in Kosovo requires an element of guesswork.
Kosovo V Czech Republic Key Facts:
- Kosovo arrive in this fixture having not lost in eight games (W6 D2).
- Czech Republic have produced some mixed performances on their travels of late (W2 L4), losing four of the last six such matches including a 5-0 in England earlier in the group.
- These teams will be competing against one another for the first time.
Betting Summary
As impressive as Kosovo‘s recent form is – no loss in their past eight internationals (W6 D2), the latest of which being that gutsy performance in Bulgaria (2-3) – the bulk of it was achieved against modest opposition. Even so, the momentum is clearly with them. Victory here would see them leapfrog their matchday opponents into second, which would be a huge step towards qualification.
The Czech Republic were thumped 5-0 by England first time out in this section but have at least rallied since to beat Bulgaria in successive encounters. That elusive runners-up spot is now in their possession, but that will only remain the case so long as they avoid defeat here which, taking into account their rather erratic form away from home, is no guarantee although their superior pedigree could be decisive.
Their form merits respect but Kosovo didn’t beat a single team of note before winning away in Bulgaria, who were also beaten home and away by the Czech Republic in this same campaign. The unpredictable nature of the Czech’s away performances is a concern but they have often possessed a very useful habit for grinding out important victories when called upon. Furthermore, the visitors superior experience should count for a lot in what could be a tense encounter.
