International football returns after a long hiatus this week with the Nations League group stages. One of the clashes taking place is Moldova v Kosovo in Group C3 of the competition.
Moldova’s football history is one of disappointment, as the minnows tend to struggle on the international stage. Their recent results suggest that trend is unlikely to change anytime soon.
In fact, a 2-1 home defeat in their last official game means that the home side has suffered defeat in ten of their last 11 matches in the international game. They even suffered a 1-0 defeat in Sweden last time they played, although that was not an official game.
Despite their recent poor results, Moldova are five games unbeaten in the Nations League, having recorded two wins and three draws. Their recent matches in the competition have been tight, low-scoring affairs with under 2.5 goals scored in their last five matches.
View this post on Instagram Primul antrenament al Naționalei înaintea meciurilor cu Kosovo și Slovenia. ⚽️🇲🇩 A post shared by FMF (@fmfmoldova) on Aug 30, 2020 at 1:09pm PDT
Primul antrenament al Naționalei înaintea meciurilor cu Kosovo și Slovenia. ⚽️🇲🇩
A post shared by FMF (@fmfmoldova) on Aug 30, 2020 at 1:09pm PDT
Moldova are undefeated in three home matches in the Nations League, although two of those games have finished all-square.
Kosovo could still make Euro 2021, as they are in the European Championship play-offs that take place in October and November. Qualifying for Euro 2021 would be a major achievement for a country who only gained entry in to UEFA in 2016.
The visitor's recent international record has been mixed, as they have won two and lost three of their last five official matches.
However, Bernard Challandes’ team has a good record in the Nations League, as they are undefeated in six games in the competition, having recorded four wins. A big factor in those good results has been that they have scored at least two goals in four of their last five outings in the competition.
Forebet predicts that these two teams will continue their recent unbeaten records in the Nations League and that this game will finish in a low-scoring draw.