Moldova vs Albania prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-11-16 17:00.
Moldova are entering ‘do or die’ territory in their quest to qualify for a first-ever UEFA European Championships, as another defeat could see their chances go up in smoke. Squandering the lead in a 1-1 draw with Poland ended a two-match Euros qualifying (ECQ) winning streak, while leaving the Tricolours two points adrift of the top-two in Group E.
Moldova can perhaps feel hard done by to sit fourth in the standings after losing just once in their six qualifiers (W2, D3), but as that defeat came in the reverse fixture against Albania (2-0), they’ll have to overturn the form book to keep their qualification hopes alive. A first-ever H2H win is therefore essential (D1, L5), but it would also require Moldova to win back-to-back ECQ home matches in the same campaign for the first time since 2003.
Like their hosts, Albania can only reach Germany 2024 through direct qualification, and just a second-ever Euros finals appearance awaits them if they avoid a defeat here or if Poland beat Czech Republic in the other group fixture. The visitors are likely to be confident having gone unbeaten across five ECQs (W4, D1) after starting the campaign with a 1-0 loss to Poland.
Defensive improvements have played a major role in the turnaround as the Albanians have kept three clean sheets in that sequence. While clean sheets have been a rarity on the road with just one across their last seven ECQs, goals haven’t been in short supply, as they’ve rattled in eight in their last four such fixtures.
Players to watch: Vitalie Damașcan was his team’s only scorer in the three matches he has scored for Moldova, helping his side remain unbeaten along the way (W2, D1). Looking to outdo him would be Albania’s Sokol Çikalleshi who has seen his two H2H goals serve as match openers in wins ‘to nil’.
Hot stat: Moldova have conceded the match opener in 11 of their last 13 home ECQs.