There are several fixtures to be played in 2024 European Championship qualification on the 25th of March, including the meeting between Israel and Kosovo.
The match will be played at the Bloomfield Stadium and the remainder of the group includes Switzerland, Romania, Belarus, and Andorra.
We must go back to November 2022 to find the last time Israel played and they lost a friendly 3-2 against Cyprus. The Cypriots scored 2 early goals and led at half time but Israel came back strongly in the second period and scored 2 goals in quick succession to draw level.
Both teams pushed for the winner and it was Cyprus who got it, scoring in the 82nd minute.
That result means Israel have won 1 of their 3 most recent fixtures, all of which have been friendlies. The win came over Zambia and was a 4-2 victory but prior to that win, Israel lost 2-1 against Malta, which was a disappointing result.
Israel proved difficult to beat in their recent Nations League matches and they won their group having not lost a game.
They defeated Albania home and away plus picked up draws against Iceland. Trends show Israel are unbeaten in their last 6 home games in all competitions and in 4 of their last 5 home European Championship qualifiers. Both teams have scored in each of Israel’s 6 most recent home European Championship qualifying matches.
Kosovo travel to Tel Aviv having been held 1-1 by the Faroe Islands in their most recent game, which was a friendly played in November 2022.
It was Kosovo who opened the scoring in the 66th minute but it took Faroe Islands 13 minutes to find the equaliser. That result means Kosovo are undefeated in their 3 most recent fixtures. There was a 5-1 home victory over Cyprus in the Nations League and a 2-2 draw at home with Armenia in a friendly.
Kosovo finished second in their Nations League group behind Greece but did well to finish above Northern Ireland and Cyprus.
However, in their last 13 away games in all competitions, Kosovo have a poor record of just 2 wins. They have lost each of their last 3 away European Championship qualifiers and have seen both teams score in all 5 of their European Championship qualifying games on the road.
Team news and Israel will have to make do without striker Mu'nas Dabbur, who has retired. They can call upon the experienced duo of Manor Solomon and Shon Weissman in attack plus Bibras Natcho in midfield.
Kosovo will start with Vedat Muriqi in attack, who is their top goal scorer. Amir Rrahmani, who is having a fantastic season with Napoli, will start in central defence.
This should be an entertaining game to watch and we expect to see both teams find the back of the net. Israel must start as favourites as they have home advantage and could take maximum points, with over 2.5 goals scored.