Israel vs Kosovo Predictions

• Each of Israel’s last 12 games, excluding friendlies, have contained over 2.5 goals.
• Kosovo, meanwhile, have seen a minimum of three goals scored in four of their last six games.
• Israel saw 44 goals scored in their 10 matches in the qualification cycle for last year’s World Cup, 23 for and 21 against.

Israel handed opportunity in open group

Group I in the Euro 2024 qualifiers appears rather open, with Switzerland clear favourites for top spot and Israel, Romania, Kosovo the main contenders eyeing the pool’s other automatic qualification place. As the second seeds, Alon Hazan’s Israel – who last made a major tournament at the 1970 World Cup – will be desperate to get off to a good start when they host Kosovo in Tel Aviv, where punters may expect entertainment.

Indeed, 44 goals were scored in Israel’s 10 games as they finished third in a competitive 2022 World Cup qualification group – 23 for and 21 against. While the presence of Fulham’s in-form forward Manor Solomon means they should have enough creativity to break Kosovo down, their defensive record leaves plenty to be desired – each of Israel’s last 12 competitive games have contained over 2.5 goals and nine have seen both teams net.

Kosovo may be ranked 107^th in the world by FIFA and start this game as big outsiders, but they have shown an ability to trouble more established nations in the past. Alain Giresse has overseen a draw with Switzerland and victories over Northern Ireland and Cyprus – the latter by a 5-1 scoreline – since taking charge last year. Kosovo have seen over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last six games and only failed to net against Greece (twice) in 10 matches last year.

Over 2.5 goals likely in Tel Aviv

While Israel begin this game as favourites, their failures to beat Iceland, Malta and Cyprus – the latter two in friendlies – last year could be pointers towards a competitive affair. With both teams being involved in several high-scoring games last year, we’re backing over 2.5 goals as our main selection.

Meanwhile, a 2-1 home win could represent decent value for correct score backers – Israel are unbeaten in six competitive home games since a defeat to Denmark in March 2021.