Kosovo vs Romania prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League C betting tips on match 2024-09-05 18:45.
[p]Kosovo begin a third successive UEFA Nations League (UNL) campaign in the third tier against the toughest opponent possible, Romania, who are the highest seed in League C. That likely wonāt deter Kosovo too much, as they have the strong historical omen of having never lost a UNL opening fixture behind them (W1, D2), while this will be the first-ever UNL campaign they start on home soil![/p]
[p]These two sides have become relatively familiar with each other of late, having also shared a Euro 2024 qualification group, with Kosovo winning neither of that pair of games (D1, L1). The Kosovans have a respectable recent home record to cling to in search of some optimism (W3, D5, L1), and although stalemates have dominated in that run, Kosovo have never drawn a UNL home game (W6, L3).[/p]
[p]A summer appearance at Euro 2024 was a success for Romania, who advanced into the knockouts for only the second time ever at a European championship, topping their group ahead of Belgium! That should offer renewed hope that they can make an instant return to League B after they dropped back into League C for the first time since the competitionās inaugural edition.[/p]
[p]A failure to win any of their away games in the last edition (D1, L2) hindered them, but as they are unbeaten in three road trips in League C (W2, D1), they should feel more at home here. In fact, they went unbeaten throughout their last third tier campaign (W3, D3), which should offer new coach Mircea Lucescu hope he can get off to the perfect start, as he takes charge for the first time after Edward IordÄnescu stepped down over the summer.Ā [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Kosovoās Astrit Selmani will be a familiar opponent for Romania, as he plays his club football for Dinamo Bucharest. Heās been in the thick of the action lately too, with four goals, three assists and three yellow cards across his last seven club appearances. Romaniaās Nicolae Stanciu will hope to have his say before Selmani, as his last four international goals have all served to open the scoring in victories.Ā [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only one of Kosovoās last eight internationals saw both teams score.Ā [/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]