Prediction: Albania vs Norway

Verdict: Draw

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: bet365

Many fans like to bemoan the international break, especially when the games played are only friendlies, and this kind of match will fall perfectly into their criticisms. Albania and Norway are two run of the mill European sides in desperate search of some kind of relevance, as they aim to build some momentum over the next few months before their kick off their attempts to qualify for UEFA Euro 2020.

Albania

The Albanians appeared to be gathering some momentum towards the end of their World Cup qualifying campaign, only for games against Spain and Italy to cut them at the knees. Their appearance at Euro 2016 gave fans hope that they could carry their form over to the next competition, but it wasn’t to be, and now they’ll be attempting to showcase their improvements in the attacking department in addition to their well-known formidable defence.

Team News

Armando Sadiku is expected to start and make a big difference for Albania, as Roshi provides experience in the middle.

Norway

Norway are always considered to be a team on the verge of breaking into the limelight, only for things to never really materialise. Their Scandinavian neighbours Denmark and Sweden seem to have pieced things together nicely over the years, but Norway only ever seem to showcase what they’re capable of in games that don’t really matter as much. Their 6-0 humiliation at the hands of world champions Germany is a perfect example of that, and they need to start the rebuilding process.

Team News

Elyounoussi and Bjørn Maars Johnsen will be key to this Norway side if they’re going to come away with anything other than a defeat.

Factors to Consider

• The two teams are at a stalemate in the head to head records, with one win each in addition to two losses.
• Albania have a slightly better record of their last six games with three wins, one draw and two losses compared to Norway’s three wins and three losses.
• Albania haven’t played since November, meanwhile, Norway are coming off the back of a morale-boosting 4-1 win over World Cup-bound Australia.
• Albania have conceded seven goals in their last six games, and Norway have conceded 10.
• Norway have qualified for the FIFA World Cup three times, whereas Albania have never reached the finals of the tournament.

Conclusion

While both teams certainly appear as if they’re got the foundations in place to move forward in a progressive manner, this feels like the kind of fixture which will see the two teams cancel each other out. It’ll be close, but we’ve got Norway pinching a fortunate draw here.

Verdict: Draw

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: bet365