MX23RW : Saturday, March 27 06:51:30| >> :120:62982:62982:
Nov 17, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
AlbaniaAlbania
0-2
France
FT(HT: 0-2)
Tolisso (9'), Griezmann (30')

Preview: Albania vs. France - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Euro 2020 qualifying clash between Albania and France, including predictions, team news and potential lineups.

World Cup champions France travel to Albania on Sunday night as they look to wrap up their Euro 2020 qualification campaign with a win.

Didier Deschamps' side went to the top of Group H and secured their place at next summer's continental showpiece after beating Moldova 2-1, while Albania were pegged back twice as they drew 2-2 with Andorra.


Match preview

Albania's Elseid Hysaj in action on October 9, 2017 © Reuters

Eduardo Reja's Albania face the difficult task of picking themselves up for Sunday's game after the disappointment of Thursday's draw with Andorra.

The Eagles were heavy favourites and they got an early breakthrough thanks to Bekim Balaj, only for Cristian Martinez to score a double that gave Andorra a shock second-half lead, before Albacete striker Rey Manaj netted on 55 minutes to spare their blushes.

Albania had 79% of possession and they completed more than 630 passes in Thursday's game but they were only able to get five shots on target during the 90 minutes, often finding it difficult to get in behind Andorra's low block.

While Reja set them up with a 3-1-4-2 in that match, he is likely to opt for a more traditional 4-4-2 against a French team who themselves will want to dominate possession and keep the ball moving across the pitch.

France boss Didier Deschamps on November 14, 2019© Reuters

France did secure their place at Euro 2020 with a win in Paris on Thursday but they had to work for it after Vadim Rata had given Moldova an early lead.

Olivier Giroud's penalty got them the victory but they seemed unable to properly break their Eastern European opponents down and create enough good goalscoring opportunities for their dynamic forward players.

As such, Deschamps is likely to make a few changes to give France even more movement and agility up front as they look to secure top spot in the group with an eighth win in 10 qualifying matches.

France did win the reverse fixture 4-1 back in March, and they have won six of the eight previous meetings between the two, but, encouragingly for Albania, they did lose 1-0 when they last visited Tirana.

Albania recent form: WLWLWD

France recent form (all competitions): WWWWDW


Team News

France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their second goal on November 14, 2019© Reuters

Albania entered these final two qualifiers without the services of several key players, including captain Mergim Mavraj, midfielder Taulant Xhaka and regular strikers Armando Sadiku and Sokol Cikalleshi.

Odise Roshi got two assists on Thursday and his delivery from the wide areas will be key as Reja looks set to put Albania out in a more conservative 4-4-2, with Elseid Hysaj presumably returning to start at right-back.

Deschamps will probably look to make changes across the pitch for France and try a few different things now that qualification is assured.

Leo Dubois is likely to start at left-back ahead of Lucas Digne, while Presnel Kimpembe could be preferred to Clement Lenglet at centre-back after it was the latter's mistake that led to Moldova's early goal on Thursday.

Matteo Guendouzi may get a debut in midfield alongside Corentin Tolisso, while Wissam Ben Yedder's movement, goalscoring form and greater match readiness should see him get the nod to start up front.

Albania possible starting lineup:
Berisha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Veseli; Roshi, Menishaj, Bare; Sulejmanov; Balaj, Manaj

France possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe, Dubois; Sissoko, Tolisso; Mbappe, Griezmann, Lemar; Ben Yedder


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Albania 1-3 France

Although they have already got qualification secured, France will want to end their campaign with a win and they should have enough to see off the home side in the second half.



ID:379152: cacheID:379152:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8918:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
France boss Didier Deschamps pictured on October 10, 2019
Read Next:
France boss Didier Deschamps "not satisfied" after lacklustre Moldova win
>
Latest Sports Video

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
World Cup Qualifying - Europe
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish Championship
Scottish League One
Scottish League Two
NIFL Premiership
League of Ireland Premier
Welsh Premier League
Segunda Division
World Cup Qualifying - South America
World Cup Qualifying - North Central America
Copa Diego Maradona
Australian A-League
International Friendlies
European Under-21 Championship
Women's Super League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City30225364214371
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd29169456322457
3Leicester CityLeicester29175753322156
4Chelsea29149644251951
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham29147845351049
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs29146949301948
7Liverpool29137948361246
8Everton28144104037346
9Arsenal29126114032842
10Aston Villa28125113930941
11Leeds UnitedLeeds29123144547-239
12Crystal Palace29107123147-1637
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2998122838-1035
14Southampton2996143651-1533
15Burnley2989122237-1533
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29711113236-432
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2977152848-2028
18Fulham30511142338-1526
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2939172057-3718
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2942231650-3414

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!