Preview: Albania vs. Georgia – Prediction, team news, lineups

Albania are set as hosts Georgia in the second game of each side UEFA Nations League B game on Tuesday at the Air Albania Stadium.

The home team are second in Group 1 with three points following their 2-1 win against Ukraine on 7 September, while the visitors are first with three points following their 4-1 win against the Czech Republic on the same day.

Game Preview

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The hosts had to come from behind to take the three points against Ukraine. Juchhim Konoplia in the 49th minute, before goals from Ardian Ismaili in the 54th minute and Jasir Asani The comeback was successful in the 66th minute.

Despite only having 41% possession, Albania had five shots on goal and created two big chances, the same number as Ukraine, who only managed three attempts in total.

Boss Sylvinho could not lead his team out of the group stage of the 2024 European Championship, although it was only the second European Championship participation for the Red-Blacks and the qualification in itself should be considered a considerable success.

In their last Nations League tournament in 2022–23, Albania finished third with two points in a group of four that also included Israel, Russia and Iceland, and failed to win their last four games in the competition.

Sylvinho's team has won just three, lost four and drawn three of their last ten games.

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Opponent Georgia goes into the duel with a 4-1 win against the Czech Republic, with three of their goals coming between the 53rd and 66th minutes.

Despite having 56% possession, the Czech Republic failed to create any real chances in the game, while Jvarosnebi created four chances of their own with a strong counter-attacking performance.

The result means that managers Willy Sagnolwho took office in February 2021, has won twice, drawn once and lost twice in his last five games.

The visitors made their European Championship debut in 2024 and were eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual winners Spain, but the fact that they finished third in their group and qualified for the next round is commendable.

Georgia's record in the Nations League is impressive, having won six of their last seven games in the competition.

In fact, the home team has lost only once, drawn six times and won 12 of their 19 Nations League matches.

Sagnol's side have been weak away from home for some time now, considering they have lost six of their last eight away games, a record that stretches back to November 2022.

Albania Nations League Form:

Albania form (All competitions):

Georgia Nations League form:

Georgia Form (All Competitions):

Team News

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Right defender Elseid Hysaj Albania was captain of the national team against Ukraine and could be supported in defence by central defenders Ardian Ismajli and Marash Kumbullaand left-back Mario Mitaj.

In attack Qazim Laci, Nedim Bajrami and Jasir Asani could be used as a striker Rey Manaj.

As for Georgia, Liverpool is on the way Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in goal and could be shielded by central defenders Giorgi Gvelesiani, Guram Kashia And Lasha Dvali.

The guests will undoubtedly try Georges Mikoutadze with talisman Chvicha Kvaratskheliaespecially considering that both scored against the Czech Republic.

Possible starting eleven for Albania:
Strakosha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Kumbulla, Mitaj; Ramadani, Asllani; Asani, Laci, Bajrami; Manaj

Possible starting lineup for Georgia:
Mamardashvili; Gvelesiani, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Chakvetadze, Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Lochoshvili; Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia

We think: Albania 1-2 Georgia

Given Georgia's impressive counter-attacking performance against the Czech Republic, it would not be a surprise if the country adopted a similar strategy against Albania and was successful.

However, the visitors have been weak away from home recently and the hosts could cause problems for their opponents on Tuesday.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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