Poland vs Albania prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-03-26 18:45.
Poland’s journey to Germany got off to the worst possible start as they opened their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with a 3-1 loss to the Czech Republic, their third defeat in succession. It wouldn’t have been the opening chapter newly appointed coach Fernando Santos would have scripted. Still, the hope will be that he draws on his wealth of experience – which includes winning Euro 2016 – to guide Poland to not only their fifth consecutive appearance at the European Championships, but also their fifth consecutive major tournament appearance.
Despite their early setback, qualification seems a highly attainable target on paper for the nation ranked 22nd in the world by FIFA, especially considering the rest of Group E features sides ranked outside the top 50 in Moldova (#174), Faroe Islands (#123rd), and their next opponents Albania (#66). Poland will know this is the perfect opportunity to get back on track, particularly since they’ve only lost one of their 13 encounters with Albania (W9, D3) while winning each of the last six.
This game acts as Albania’s qualification opener, and while the highlighted H2H record does spell trouble, they will come into the contest on the back of a solid 2-0 success over Armenia in November. That was a hugely morale-boosting win for Sylvinho’s men, especially as it halted what was a worrying ten-game winless run prior (D5, L5).
The Red and Blacks have only ever won the opening match of a European qualification campaign once in 13 attempts (D3, L9 – excluding walkovers), with that being for Euro 2016, where they went on to secure progression and make their only appearance at a major tournament finals. However, prospects of getting off to such a start here don’t look good, particularly when you throw in they’ve only won one of their last ten away assignments (D3, L6).
Players to watch: Piotr Zielinski has won all his club matches which he’s scored in this season (W6), while also never suffering defeat when bagging for Poland (W5, D4). Albania could look to Xhuliano Skuka for inspiration here, since eight of his last 11 goals for his club Metz have come on the road.
Hot streak: Poland’s last ten matches have seen the side scoring first avoid defeat.