Czech Republic vs Malta prediction: WORLD: Friendly International betting tips on match 2024-06-06 15:30.
[p]Before the Czech Republic (FIFA rank: #36) can think about emulating, or even bettering, their run to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals three summers ago, they start their preparations against Malta (FIFA rank: #171) in Austria before hosting North Macedonia. On the back of three straight victories, all of which produced exactly three goals, Ivan HaÅ”ekās side seems in good shape ahead of his third game in charge, after former boss Jaroslav Å ilhavĆ½ās resignation last year.[/p]
[p]They also boast a decent record in recent friendlies having not lost one since Turkey beat them in November 2022 (W3, D1), with both teams on the scoresheet in all four of those games. They wonāt be happy to concede here given the huge gulf in rankings between these two teams and their unbeaten H2H record (W8, D2) including a thumping 6-0 win in May 2016.[/p]
[p]However, Malta did breach the Czech defence in the two meetings before that thrashing (L2) but they may have lower expectations here as they havenāt won a game since beating Gibraltar 1-0 in September (D2, L4). They finished bottom of their Euro 2024 qualifying group after scoring just twice across eight matches (L8), but a pair of recent friendly draws against Slovenia and Belarus does offer some encouragement.[/p]
[p]The Reds might be optimistic about faring better with the pressure off as theyāve only lost one of their last seven non-competitive internationals (W3, D3), although only one of those was on foreign soil. With their next four matches outside of Malta, this is an opportunity for Michele Marcoliniās side to find some form on the road before their UEFA Nations League campaign starts in September.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: TomĆ”Å” ChorĆ½, the last player to score for the Czech Republic, comes into this fixture in good form having netted after the 65th minute in both of his last two outings for Viktoria PlzeÅ. Stephen Pisani was Maltaās last scorer and his last two club goals came via set pieces including one direct from a corner![/p]
[p]Hot streak: Each of the Czech Republicās last four games featured scoring in both halves (W3, D1).[/p]