Romania vs Israel prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-09-08 18:45.
Romania boss Edward IordÄnescu is urging his players to seize the moment as they look to reach a major tournament for the first time since 2016. The manager has guided his side to second place in Group I thanks to a four-game unbeaten run at the start of UEFA European Championship qualifying (W2, D2), and labelled their two fixtures over this international break as an âimportant momentâ in their bid for qualification.
The eight points picked up so far mean the Tricolours sit within striking distance of group leaders Switzerland, with whom they drew 2-2 in June. That result means they are undefeated across five internationals (W3, D2) for the first time in nearly five years, but they will be desperate to improve on a relatively disappointing record on home soil, where they have been beaten in five of their last 11 outings (W5, D1).
Standing in their way are an Israel team who are hot on Romaniaâs heels thanks to back-to-back 2-1 successes against Belarus and Andorra. Those victories mean hopes are high that Alon Hazanâs side can reach a European Championship finals for the first time, having suffered the heartache of a play-off semi-final defeat to Scotland in their attempts to reach Euro 2020.
The Blue and Whites will have two bites at the cherry of making it to next yearâs tournament thanks to their impressive performance in the UEFA Nations League. Direct qualification is their preferred route, but to do that they will surely have to improve on a dreadful away record in Euro qualification away matches, having lost six of their last seven fixtures on the road (W1).
Key battle: Romania defender Christian Manea has lost just one of his last eight European Championship or World Cup qualifiers (W5, D2), helping his side keep five clean sheets in the process. Looking to get the better of him might be Israelâs Manor Solomon, who has netted first or last in ten of his last dozen goalscoring appearances for club or country.
Hot stat: There have been 3+ match goals in 21 of Israelâs last 23 internationals.