Albania vs Georgia

Air Albania Stadium forms the backdrop for a top-table UEFA Nations League Group B1 six-pointer between Albania and Georgia.

Perhaps buoyed by their spirited, albeit unsuccessful Euro 2024 journey (D1, L2), Albania showed glimpses of their unparalleled fighting spirit to recover from a deficit in a 2-1 victory against Ukraine in their opening Group B1 fixture. In doing so, the Albanians already won more points in this latest Nations League iteration than they did in the entire 2022/23 campaign (D2, L2), ending a six-game winless streak in this competition. Sylvinho’s side can add to their confidence by ending September’s international break at the top of their group. However, in order to achieve that feat, the Albanians must do something they last did in 2005 – they must beat Georgia (D4, L2 since). Flying starts had been synonymous with Albania before that game against Ukraine, as they had opened the scoring in five of their six previous Nations League outings (W2, D2, L2).

Visiting Georgia will hope to benefit from Albania’s notorious inability to defend properly to build on a scintillating 4-1 victory against the Czech Republic on their League B debut. Indeed, the Albanians have not had a clean sheet across their last seven Nations League matches, inspiring hope among the traveling squad that they could extend their scoring streak to seven games. In addition to traveling with a feel-good factor after sweeping the Czechs away, the visitors ride on a stellar run of six wins from their last seven Nations League fixtures (D1). That sequence features 20 goals, adding to the excitement factor for neutrals. Moreover, five of Georgia’s last eight away matches in the Nations League have produced an opening goal within 20 minutes, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start.