Albania striker Bekim Balaj. (Photo : Getty Images)
FIFA World no. 47 Albania (2-1-0, 6 points) will try to move up in the Group G standings of the ongoing UEFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers as the team faces 79th-ranked Israel (2-1-0, 6 points) at the Elbasan Arena in Elbasan on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 8:45 p.m. UTC+1. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Albania started strong by winning its first two games in the tournament against lowly teams Macedonia and Liechtenstein in convincing fashions. The team is currently in third place in the group standings.
They had a wake-up call in their third game, though, as they were blanked by tournament favorites Spain, 0-2, at the Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër on Oct. 9, as per ESPN.
Head coach Gianni De Biasi's squad controlled 71 percent of ball possession in the first half but was content in keeping the game goalless against the star-studded Spanish side. However, in the 55th minute, Chelsea striker Diego Costa managed to break the deadlock off a brilliant assist from Manchester City midfielder David Silva.
Silva's club teammate, forward Nolito, doubled the lead eight minutes later to seal the Spanish win as the Red and Blacks failed to respond even with a consolation goal.
Meanwhile, Israel touts the same record as Albania but has a lower goal difference to settle in the fourth spot of the Group G table.
Israel lost to Italy in their tournament-opener before going on a two-game winning run. The team defeated Macedonia in their second game before nipping Liechtenstein, 2-1, at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on Oct. 9 for their second straight win in the qualifiers, BBC Sport reported.
Brighton & Hove Albion striker Tomer Hemed netted a brace for head coach Elisha Levy's side in the fourth and 16th minutes to zoom ahead to a 2-0 lead early in the match.
Liechtenstein managed to trim the gap to a point in the 49th minute with a goal from defender Maximilian Göppel, but it was all the visitors could do to try and equalize the game.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a close 2-1 win for Albania.
Albania starting lineup (4-5-1 formation): Berisha; Hysaj, Djimsiti, Mavraj, Agolli; Roshi, Lila, Xhaka, Memushaj, Lenjani; Balaj
Israel starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Goresh; Dasa, Gershon, Tzedek, Ben Harush; Buzaglo, Cohen, Natkho, Ben Haim II; Zahavi, Hemed
