Montenegro vs Israel Predictions

• Montenegro have drawn their last three international friendlies.
• Israel have lost ten of their last 13 friendly matches.
• Both teams have not scored in three of the last five Montenegro home friendlies and four if the last six Israel away friendlies.

Israel could surprise depleted hosts

Montenegro are rising up the Fifa rankings again after earning promotion in their last Nations League campaign and making a good start to World Cup qualifying.

Sitting 21 places above Israel on the list ahead of this clash should make them warm favourites, but the Brave Falcons have been denied the services of several mainstays through injury, fatigue and administrative problems.

Skipper Stevan Jovetic, Marko Vukcevic and Adam Marusic are among 11 missing regulars, although Atletico Madrid defender Stefan Savic is available to marshal the defence.

Montenegro played out a lifeless 0-0 draw with a similarly depleted Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday and it is hard to foresee them troubling the scoreboard operators in Podgorica on Saturday with no dependable goalscorer in the squad.

Israel at least have Eran Zahavi, who scores once every two and a half games at international level, but several other key men have been left out.

Coach Willi Ruttensteiner has selected a number of up-and-coming stars to gain experience ahead of a World Cup qualifying campaign that begins in September.

And when a depleted team with no cutting edge takes on an experimental one, we’re inclined to run straight to the goals markets.

Our preference is for Both teams to score – No here because we really can’t see whichever team that falls behind – if there is a goal – having enough quality to break down an opponent that will double their defensive focus to protect the lead.