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Kick off: 8 October @19:45 CET
Venue: Elbasan Arena
Head to head record
Serbia vs Albania 0-3 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Albania
Last 5 matches
Italy vs Albania 1-0 (International friendly)
Albania vs Armenia 2-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Albania vs France 1-0 (International friendly)
Denmark vs Albania 0-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Albania vs Portugal 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News
Experienced defenders Debatik Curri (44/1) and Mergim Mavraj (23/3) have both been left out of the Albania squad for Euro 2021 qualifiers vs Serbia and Armenia through injury.
Arlind Ajeti, who started both September qualifiers, keeps his place despite the fact that he has been unable to find a new club since he was released by FC Basel in the summer.
There have been no other worries for coach Giovanni De Biasi ahead of the high-intensity clash, where a win would almost certainly see the hosts qualify for the tournament finals.
Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Berisha – Djimsiti, Cana, Ajeti, Agolli – T. Xhaka, Kukeli, Abrashi – Gashi, Cikalleshi, Lenjani.
Serbia
Last 5 matches
Portugal vs Serbia 2-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Serbia vs Azerbaijan 4-1 (International friendly)
Denmark vs Serbia 2-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Serbia vs Armenia 2-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
France vs Serbia 2-1 (International friendly)
Team News
There have been some major changes in the Serbia squad, with goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic and Lazio midfielder Sergej Minikovic-Savic earning their maiden call-ups to the national team.
Red Star midfielder Aleksandar Katai was added after Andrija Zivkovic was ruled out through injury, while Filip Kostic, Matija Nastasic, Lazar Markovic and Filip Djordjevic are unavailable as well.
The good news is that Chelsea star Nemanja Matic has recovered from injury, whereas Manchester City full-back Aleksandar Kolarov should be fit to play as well.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Stojkovic – Tomovic, Ivanovic, Spajic, Kolarov – Gudelj, Matic – Tosic, Tadic, Ljajic – Mitrovic.
Interesting Facts
*Reverse fixture was awarded to Albania (3-0) after the match had been abandoned due to crowd trouble at 0-0.
*This match is likely to be a very intense affair as well. Draw is available at 3.00 (2/1).
*Albania need a win to edge closer to qualifying berth. Bear in mind that home win pays 2.88 (17/9).
[fixture match_id=”3910161752848948273984953″ type=”odds”]
