Prediction: Israel vs Romania

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1.85

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Israel and Romania are fighting for the 2nd place in group I, with Switzerland being the favourites to finish 1st. The match will be played in Hungary at Pancho Arena, starting at 21:45, with a limited attendance.

Israel

Israel’s faith to qualify for next year’s EURO has a lot of ups and downs. Although they were favourites to win a crucial last Sunday game against Kosovo, they surprised everybody by losing 1-0. It seemed that Israel’s faith had been sealed after the shock result against Kosovo. However, the disappointing match was quickly forgotten on Wednesday night when Hanan Hazan’s players pulled a vital comeback against Switzerland by scoring a late equalizer (1-1 final score).

Israel sits 3rd in the table with 12 points, 4 less than Switzerland and Romania. All 3 teams have played the same number of games, leading this finale of Group I to be fascinating. Israel has only one option against Romaia: victory. The hosts showed mental strength coming from behind not just with Switzerland but also against Romania in the match played in Bucharest (1-1 final score). We can definitely say that this game is Israel’s most important match of the season.

Team News

Manor Solomon, the most valuable player of Israel, is recovering from his meniscus injury. He was not called up for this last group match and his absence has been felt. Israel’s manager will most likely use a system (4-3-3) and the same players that featured against Switzerland.

Glazer will be looking to make crucial saves behing a back 4 line led by Goldberg and Shlomo in the centre. Dasa and Davidzada will play as right and left backs respectively, both looking to go up the pitch and deliver quality crosses in the opposition’s box. Shon Wessman could be Israel’s lethal weapon against Romania, as the young striker needed just 7 minutes to score against Switzerland.

Romania

Romania are in a great position to book their tickets for Germany, sitting 2nd in the group, level on points with leaders Switzerland. Tricolorii can play again in a final tournament after an 8-year break. It was in 2016 when Anghel Iordanescu qualified Romania for the EURO played in France. Edi Iordanescu, his son, has all the chances to follow in his father’s footsteps. A draw against Israel will be enough to qualify, regardless of the last-round results. The visitors are undefeated in over a year thanks to a great series of results (W5D4).

Romania’s manager likes to call up a lot of players to the national team so they can get used to the system laid down by him and his technical staff. The Romanian press was very critical after the poor performance against Belarus but Israel’s 2 points dropped with Kosovo was the perfect result for Alibec and his teammates. Romania’s defence was improved significantly in the last 3 matches with Kosovo, Belarus and Andorra, all failing to put a ball in the back of Horatiu’s Moldovan net.

Team News

Edi Iordanescu can line up his best 11 with no key players being injured or suspended. It remains a mystery which players will start the game since Iordanescu’s starting line-up is only known a couple of hours before the kick-off.

Denis Alibec, the prolific striker who plays in Qatar is expected to start as a centre-forward. Ianis Hagi, the talented midfielder who scored against Andorra, will be backing Alibec from behind. Dragusin and Burga will pair again as centre-backs. Nicusor Stanciu, Romania’s captain’ will have Razvan Marin alongside in the centre midfield. Florinel Coman is in top form at his club (FCSB) and might start the game in the 1st minute.

Key factors to consider

• Israel must win against Romania to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
• The hosts came back against Switzerland pulling a draw (1-1).
• Israel failed to get a win against Romania in the last 3 matches (D2 L1).
• Romania sit 2nd in group I, level on points with Switzerland.
• The visitors can book their tickets for Germany if they don’t lose against Israel.
• Edi Iordanescu’s team is coming from a 4-0 home win against Andorra.

Conclusion

Israel vs Romania will be an all-or-nothing match for the hosts. Both teams are in good form before the game starts, pulling impressive results. I believe the hosts will be on the front foot looking to get a much-needed win, with the visitors looking for open spaces and chances to hit on the break.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1.85

Bookmaker: Zetbet