Kosovo vs Israel prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-11-11 19:45.
In extraordinary circumstances, FIFA have extended the November international window to fit in Israelâs two 2024 UEFA European Championship qualifiers (ECQ) that were postponed in October because of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Kosovoâs only match in that October period was their first win of the cycle, a 3-0 victory at group minnows Andorra that kept alive their very slim qualification hopes.
But in reality, the best they can aim for is to match the three wins they picked up from nine games in their previous ECQ campaign. First and foremost, the Kosovans owe the Pristina faithful a home victory. Kosovo have now played out five consecutive draws on home soil (3x 1-1, 1x 2-2, 1x 0-0), which can only be assessed as a bitterly disappointing and underwhelming run of outcomes when considering they were the pre-match favourites four times.
Israel face the immense challenge of playing four internationals in ten days, which will be especially difficult for homegrown players such as Maccabi Tel Aviv pair Roy Revivo and Dor Peretz, who have played just two competitive matches each since the beginning of October. The importance of qualifying for their first European Championship was not lost on Israelâs national team management, who displayed photographs of missing hostages at head coach Alon Hazanâs press conference.
They will likely have to win at least three of those four fixtures to finish in the top two, though a second chance awaits them in the play-offs as UEFA Nations League B2 winners if they fall short. On the basis of losing six of their last ten fixtures to be played outside of Israel (W2, D2), it appears a steep task, but players and coaches alike have spoken widely of their deep desire to give Israelis something to smile about.
Players to watch: Talented BeĆiktaĆ midfielder Milot Rashica has contributed directly to six Kosovo goals during this ECQ cycle (G2, A4). Rashica was at hand to witness Israelâs Sagiv Jehezkel score twice and assist once in Antalyasporâs 3-2 win over BeĆiktaĆ earlier this month, which was Jehezkelâs second club brace since Israelâs last game.
Hot stat: All but one of Israelâs last nine games saw one team lead âto nilâ at half-time, including the reverse H2H when Kosovo were in front 1-0 prior to a 1-1 draw.