Kosovo vs Azerbaijan Predictions

Kosovo are almost over the line in Group D3, and they head into this meeting with Azerbaijan looking to wrap things up. Their rise in international football has been fantastic, having gone from World Cup qualifying whipping boys to leading the way in the race for promotion. They’re also in the hunt for a first appearance at a major tournament, with top spot giving them a play-off place for Euro 2020. However, they first need to see off Azerbaijan in the big group finale on Tuesday night.

The hosts are aiming to continue their unbeaten run in 2018, following a great turnaround in form. They were routinely defeated during their World Cup qualifying campaign, but they have met sides at their own level in recent months, thanks to the Nations League. They’ve been given a chance to grow into the game, rather than having to endure constant defeats to superior sides. As a result, they’re on their way up in the world of international football. Could they finish off a brilliant Autumn with another win here?

The visitors are aiming to keep their Euro 2020 dream alive, having picked up a few games at the pan-national championships in 2020. With the Euros spread across multiple nations, Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku will be hosting some of the matches. They’ll play at home should they make it that far, but few neutrals are going to want to see them progress at the expense of Kosovo. The visitors have invested big money to bring their national side and stadium up to international standard, but they could be denied promotion and a play-off spot come Tuesday.

The run that Kosovo are currently on has seen them avoid defeat in nine matches, which kicked off last November. They ended their World Cup qualifying campaign after losing nine straight games, but they’ve seen off the likes of Latvia, Burkina Faso and Albania ahead of the Nations League, winning three of their last four in this competition. Will they finish this group up with another three points?

The visitors have managed to avoid defeat in visits to Malta and the Faroe Islands, but we can’t see them withstanding an in-form Kosovo side. The visitors were beaten in three of their last four World Cup qualifiers on the road, and their poor finish in that competition should be followed by a blow in their Euro 2020 push. We’re tipping Kosovo to win again, given their impressive 5-0 dismantling of Malta last time out.