Albania and Estonia wrap up their summer of international matches with a friendly at the Air Albania Stadium on Monday night.

It means both nations are taking a break from their UEFA Nations League campaigns, in which they have enjoyed differing fortunes over the past two weeks.

Match preview

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With both nations participating in groups of three teams instead of four in the 2022 Nations League campaign, the two nations have only played two matches each in the competition over the summer.

For Albania, the start of the campaign was disappointing, with a 1-1 draw in Iceland followed by a poor 2-1 home defeat to Israel on Friday night.

Wanted Chelsea striker Armand Broja had received Edoardo RejaThe team are on the march with a goal from the penalty spot at halftime, after an impressive performance in the first half.

However, the Israelis regained control in the second 45, and by the 73rd minute they had turned the game around with a brace from Solomon Manor.

As a result, Albania, who had been looking for suitors for promotion from Group B2, have the odds against them when they return to Nations League action in September.

However, before the players go on their end-of-season vacation, they must conclude international matches with a friendly match against Estonia.

Reja will be keen to see his side end the period on a high note after a run of just one win in five matches in all competitions since October 2021, although he has impressed plenty within the blink of an eye of sealing a playoff spot in their UEFA World Cup. qualifying group.

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Meanwhile, Estonia have enjoyed mixed fortunes in their Nations League campaign over the past two weeks.

Monday’s visitors opened the 2022 competition with back-to-back wins over San Marino and Malta, leaving Thomas HaberliThe team controls their own destiny as they push for promotion from the D2 group.

Despite seeing very little of the ball in Malta on Thursday, Estonia proved to be clinically in possession of the ball as they snatched all three points from the kill via a Henry Anier goal in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time.

Haberli’s side should get the job done when they return to the Nations League in September, and like their hosts on Monday, they will be ready to wrap up the June internationals on a high when they travel to Albania.

A 5-0 loss to Argentina on 5 June was a reminder of the difficulties of facing a build-up, in a game where Lionel Messi stole the show by scoring all five goals to break multiple records.

Estonia luckily won’t have to face the Argentine magician on Monday, but they will certainly face a stern test against a strong Albanian side, even though they have been suffering from form lately, and it will be an opportunity the visitors will relish. .

Form of Albania international friendlies:

Albania form (all competitions):

Form of Estonia international friendlies:

Form Estonia (all competitions):

Team News

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As with most friendlies, Albania are likely to rotate their starting XI against Estonia on Monday, giving several fringe members of the squad the chance to play for their country.

Linked to Fulham Thomas Strakocha not part of the team, so Gentian Selmani Where Elhan Kastrati are in line to make a rare start ahead of the captain Etrit Berisha between the posts.

Although Lazio goalkeeper Strakosha is not part of La Roja’s squad at the moment, the Albanian side have several players plying their trade in Serie A – including Ardian Ismajli, Marash Kumbulla, Berat Djimsiti, Elseid Hysaj, Frederic Veseli and Nedim Bajrami.

Several of those members of Italy’s top flight are expected to play a role on Monday, despite expected changes to starting line-ups.

As for the visitors, they are also likely to rotate their starting XI after a packed schedule in June.

20-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein could well fall on the bench, as he did for the friendly match against Argentina, with Matvei Igonen take his place in the goal instead.

Captain Konstantin Vassiljev can also be rested again, depriving him of his 143rd cap for the Baltic nation, preventing him from getting closer to marko kristal the second most capped player for Estonia.

Possible starting line-up for Albania:
Selmani; Ismajli, Djimsiti, Kumbulla; Balliu, Cekici, Bajrami, Asllani, Hysaj; Balaj, Broja

Estonia possible starting composition:
Igonen; Paskotsi, Tamm, Purg; Teniste, Miller, Soomets, Kait, Pikk; Anier, Zenjov

We say: Albania 2-0 Estonia

Although Albania have suffered from poor form lately, they still have a lot of quality in their ranks after a largely positive year overall.

It remains to be seen how they attack this friendly, but they should have enough to comfortably face an inferior Estonia side to conclude their June internationals.

For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.

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