Romania vs Andorra prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-10-14 18:45.
Romania were left frustrated on Thursday night, as despite dominating against Belarus, they were held to a second goalless draw of their UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign (ECQ). A first major tournament appearance in eight years is still on the cards however, and they could cement their place inside the top-two of Group I with victory over Andorra, a side they beat 2-0 in the reverse fixture back in March.
Manager Edward Iordӑnescu will be hopeful of extending his nation’s 100% H2H record against the minnows (W5, GF17, GA1), and another quick start could set them on their way as three of their five home goals in this ECQ cycle have arrived before the half-hour mark. Should they emerge victorious on Sunday, it would be the first time the Tricolours have secured back-to-back home ECQ wins since March 2015.
By contrast, Andorra’s disappointing 3-0 loss at home to Kosovo means they face a real fight to avoid finishing bottom of Group I, sitting three points behind fifth-placed Belarus with just three matches remaining. Koldo Álvarez’s men appear to be slipping out of form at the wrong time though, as their latest defeat, coupled with a 3-0 reverse against Switzerland last month, represents the first time since June 2021 that they have lost successive games by at least a three-goal margin.
Were Andorra to pull off the improbable feat of triumphing in Bucharest, it would be a maiden ECQ away victory for the microstate, while their last win in the competition came against Moldova in October 2019, followed by three draws and seven defeats since. Their dismal H2H record puts a dampener on any expectations for improvement, as Andorra have failed to score on their previous two trips to Romania, while they conceded a combined six goals on those visits.
Players to watch: Valentin Mihăilă is Romania’s top scorer in this qualifying cycle (G3), with all three goals coming after the 85th minute. Meanwhile, Joan Cervós got the assist for Andorra’s consolation at home to Switzerland and has played virtually every minute this campaign.
Hot stat: Romania haven’t conceded inside the first 20 minutes in any of their last 12 home matches.