Kosovo vs Czech Republic Predictions

There’s an interesting clash in England’s group this weekend, as two of the top three meet. While England are off facing Bulgaria, second-placed Czech Republic are heading to third-placed Kosovo in a potentially decisive game. These two will have high hopes following their start, but who will secure a spot at Euro 2020? Could Kosovo complete an incredible rise through the ranks to finish second behind England, or will the Czech Republic boost their hopes of making the finals with a win in this trip?

Kosovo have really turned around their fortunes since finishing their first qualifying campaign with one point from 10 games. Since their nine-game losing streak in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, they’ve managed to go unbeaten in a run which is almost two-years-old. The hosts have been in inspired form in recent years, which includes topping their UEFA Nations League group to secure a playoff spot for the Euros at minimum. However, following 14 internationals without defeat Kosovo might not need that playoff spot after all.

The visitors finished second their Nations League group, but they face a challenge to repeat that finish in Euro 2020 qualifying. They have beaten Montenegro and Bulgaria at home so far, but their 5-0 loss to England is telling. They have lost every other away game across their last nine trips, a run which covers 18 months of internationals. In that time they’ve bee beaten at the likes of Russia, Ukraine and Australia, while Kosovo will fancy their chances going forward in this clash.

After all, the hosts have scored in their last eight home games. They’ve also scored in every qualifying clash so far, but all of those encounters have seen both teams score so far. Kosovo come into this clash with all of their last four internationals finishing without a clean sheet. With 15 goals scored across their last seven at home, we expect them to notch against the Czechs to keep thing strong run going.

The visitors have scored five times in their last two games, but they’ve ended up with a -1 goal difference after problems at the back. The only clean sheet they kept on the road in World Cup qualifying came at San Marino, while the visitors have enough going forward to give us confidence in their defence. As a result, we are backing both teams to score on Saturday, while we are backing a 1-1 draw to continue the hosts’ unbeaten record here.