Faroe Islands vs Albania prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-06-19 18:45.
With his contract as Faroe Islands manager due to expire at the end of this year, Håkan Ericson is running out of time to prove he’s the man to keep taking the team forward after some historic results earlier in his tenure. Their survival in UEFA Nations League C last year has since been followed up by five games without victory (D2, L3), the most recent of which was a 3-0 home European Championship Qualifying (ECQ) loss to Czech Republic that pinned them to the bottom of Group E.
That was their second defeat to the no. 38 ranked Czechs in that period, so they should welcome the visit of Albania (#68) in their second game of this ECQ window. Having found a clash with North Macedonia (#65) a lot easier in a March friendly, albeit without winning (L 1-0), staying at home where they have won three of their last five matches, all by a one-goal margin, could tip the balance in favour of a positive result.
As they look to contend with the Czech Republic and Poland for the two Euro 2024 places that Group E offers, Albania did what was expected of them by winning comfortably at home to Moldova (2-0) at the weekend. New manager Sylvinho, who admitted he was “anxious” prior to his home debut as Albania manager when informed of the forecasted size of the crowd, described the win as “a starting point”.
Now looking to build upon that result, Albania have an excellent opportunity to end a run of four games without winning in an opposition country (D1, L3) as they meet the Faroe Islands for the first time. Having lost to only one of the ten lowest European nations in FIFA’s current world rankings (Lithuania), and with their last five games won by the pre-match favourite of the day, there’s little to suggest they’re vulnerable to slipping up as they aim to keep in touch with the top two.
Players to watch: Faroese defender Viljormur Davidsen recorded his nation’s opening goal in two of their last three home games, but his international goals appear to be anomalies after 13 club appearances without scoring between the March and June international windows. On the contrary, Albania’s Jasir Asani has delivered a goal or assist in three of his last five games for club or country.
Hot streak: Albania’s ten goals accrued since the start of June 2022 were all scored by different players.