Malta vs Estonia
9 June 1945hrs
Football – International – Nations League
Pick Malta
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 6/4 odds taken 2000 GMT, Friday 3 June
Malta and Estonia got their Nations League campaign off to a winning start and one of them will be hoping to take control of the section when they clash on Thursday.
Table of Contents
Malta – Can Malta make it five home games unbeaten in the Europa League?
For a team ranked 170th in the World, an opportunity to win consecutive, competitive games does not come around often but that is the incentive for Malta on Thursday. A 2-0 win away to San Marino (the lowest ranked team in international football), means they can record back to back wins in competition for the first time in over 50 years. They have managed it a couple of times in friendly games but this would be something to celebrate for what is a footballing minnow.
Their record form has been decent with three wins in their last four. That includes friendly wins against Azerbaijan and Kuwait. Their only defeat in that run of games was at home to Venezuela last week. Another reason to be confident is the fact it’s also the only goal they have conceded in four matches. Much-needed considering they shipped 13 goals in their two matches before.
Estonia Preview – Are Estonia set to follow up their opening match win with a rare victory on their travels?
Estonia will be in the rare position of being the higher-ranked team not only in this game but the group as a whole. They, too, seen off San Marino to get off to a winning start – comfortably seeing them off 2-0 at home. That has been a rare bright spot in recent times, however, and their only win in seven games. It was a thumping 5-0 defeat to Argentina last time out with Lionel Messi scoring all five goals.
Thomas Haberli will be hoping that loss and their recent form in general will not dispirit his players ahead of this game. Especially as they can take charge of the section. The Estonians find themselves at this level following defeat in the relegation playoff to Cyprus earlier this year and will be keen to bounce back straightaway.
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Konstantin Vassiljev is the veteran captain and current top scorer in the squad. The midfielder has 25 goals in his 141 caps. The experience and goals of Henri Anier and Sergei Zenjov are also notable features of this squad, with Erik Sorga the emerging talent up top. Sorga plays in Sweden for IFK and has managed four goals in 19 appearances for his country.
Malta vs Estonia Betting Advice
This is unlikely to be a classic and very much one of the football purists, but it is a big game for both Malta and Estonia. One of them can go top at the halfway stage of this section with just three teams in it, giving them a real advantage of promotion to the league above. The two will meet again in September.
It is Estonia who have had the upper hand in recent head to head meetings between the two, winning two of the last three friendly games. The most recent of which was in 2017.
Key Facts – Malta vs Estonia Betting Tip
- Malta are looking for a fourth win in their last five games
- Estonia have failed to score in four of their last five away games
- The Estonians have won two of the last three meetings between the two, all of which were friendly games
Malta may be ranked much lower than their opponents but they are in better form. They’re keeping clean sheets and with Estonia struggling for goals – especially on the road – I’m taking the home team to follow up Sunday’s win.
Best Betting Odds for Malta vs Estonia
