Prediction: Czech Republic vs Moldova

Verdict: Moldova to score

Best odds: 2.45

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Moldova is travelling to the Czech Republic with hopes of finishing 2nd in Group E and achieving history. The match will start at 21:45 with more than 12 000 fans backing their favorites to win.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic lacked consistency in the Euro Qualifiers campaign with many unconvincing results. The hosts are 2nd with 11 points with Albania topping the group. Scoring only 9 goals in 7 matches shows a lack of accuracy in front of the opposition’s goal. The latest results highlight that Czech Republic’s form is dipping after pulling a narrow home win against Faroe Island (1-0) and suffering a heavy defeat at leaders Albania (3-0). However, the team is undefeated at home this campaign displaying some impressive football like in the 3-1 home victory against Poland. A crucial point gained Friday in Poland had positioned the Czech Republic as favourites to qualify for next’s year European tournament.

The hosts have one more hurdle to overcome, the final match of this qualification campaign played at home against Moldova. Jaroslav Silhavy is looking to repeat history when the golden generation of football players like Koller, Smicer, Baros, and Rosicky inspired a 5-0 home win against Moldova in the 2004 Euro qualification. A draw as well will be enough to book the tickets for Germany.

Team News

Patrick Schick, the prolific Bayer Leverkusen striker, was not called up to face Moldova working hard to recover from his calf injury. His absence was felt in the Faroe Islands’ difficult win, Tomas Cvancara, the young Monchengladbach striker failed to make an impact in the opposition’s box.

Holes and Krejci will start as the centre backs with Doudera and Jurasek covering the sides. Soucek, West Ham’s star will be looking to repeat his brilliant performance he had against Farole Island. The talented midfielder scored the only goal of the match. Lingr, Cerny and Hlozek will offer support for Cvancara who will try to score and bring to his team a much-needed victory.

Moldova

Moldova’s progress in the world of football is obvious. The visitors went from being a side with no real achievements to battling for a Euro qualification. Moldova proved that it can compete with the heavyweights of Europe’s national football teams. With 10 points from 7 games, Moldova proved to be a tough nut to crack. Thanks to the surprising point won in Poland (1-1), the hosts are still in contention to achieve history by qualifying at a European final tournament. Scoring goals is something that Moldova is doing on a regular basis, having 6 consecutive matches with at least one goal scored.

The visitors have their faith in their own hands after scoring a late equalizer against leaders Albania (1-1 final score). It was an impressive performance from Moldova who can achieve history if they win against the Czech Republic. Having only a population of 2.6 million, Moldova can become the smallest nation to qualify for EURO. Drawing at home with the Czech Republic and defeating Poland shows that Sergei Clescenco’s players are a real threat that needs to be considered.

Team News

Sergei Clescenco will stick to his 5-2-3 system, hoping to deliver a devastating blow to his adversaries. Vladislav Baboglo will be looking to make his presence in the set pieces and score, helping his team like he did with Albania.

Craciun, Baboglo and Posmac the 3 center-backs, will be looking to repeat the recent incredible performance against Albania. Motpan and Rata will cover the empty spaces left in the middle of the pitch. Caicamacov, Nicolaescu and Postolachi will be looking to score and make history.

Key factors to consider

• The Czech Republic never lost against Moldova (W2D1).
• The hosts lost only 1 game in this calendar year (3-0 away with Albania).
• Jaroslav Silhavy’s players can qualify for Euro 2024 if they don’t lose against Moldova.
• The visitors have their best-ever qualification campaign, reaching the last round with real chances to achieve history.
• Moldova lost only 1 game in the qualifiers, 2-0 away with Albania.
• Sergei Clescenco’s team scored at least 1 goal in all of their last 6 games.

Conclusion

The Czech Republic has 2 options to qualify: a win or a draw. The hosts are the better side on paper but Moldova is a real threat considering the surprising results achieved so far. The hosts will be on the front foot, looking to score early, leaving spaces for the visitors to hit on the break. I consider Moldova to score is being priced very well by the bookies.

Verdict: Moldova to score

Best odds: 2.45

Bookmaker: Zetbet