The hosts will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine, but they remain top of Group 1 in League B, while Albania are third, with the visitors losing 2-0 to the Czech Republic in their last game.
Georgia made a huge impression at Euro 2024, making it to the last-16 stage of the competition in their first-ever major tournament, and they famously recorded a 2-0 win over Portugal in the group stage. Willy Sagnol's side then beat Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening 2024-25 Nations League fixture, before recording a 1-0 victory over Albania to move onto six points in Group 1 of League B.
The Crusaders will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 loss to Ukraine, with Mykhaylo Mudryk netting the only goal of the contest in the 35th minute, and it was a frustrating night for Sagnol's team. Georgia remain top of their section, though, and they will be bidding to record a third win in the group ahead of their November fixtures with Ukraine and Czech Republic. The Crusaders need to finish first to guarantee promotion, and they have been joined on six points by the Czech Republic, so there will be pressure on the hosts to return to winning ways on Monday night.
Albania actually opened their 2024-25 Nations League campaign with a 2-1 success over Ukraine, but they have lost their last two games in Group 1 of League B to Georgia and Czech Republic. A total of three points from three matches has left them in third spot in the section, which would see them take part in a relegation playoff, but there is still plenty of football to be played over the next month. Sylvinho's side have two home matches against the Czech Republic and Ukraine in November, so a positive result in this match would leave them in a position to finish in the top two.
The Red and Blacks were also present in the finals of this summer's European Championship, but they were unable to make it out of the group stage, collecting only one point from three matches. Albania have not actually overcome Georgia since June 2005, but two of the last three meetings between these two sides have finished all square, while there was only one goal between them in the reverse game last month.
Georgia have not reported any injury problems from their clash with Ukraine last time out, so head coach Sagnol is expected to have the same squad available for what is likely to be a tricky fixture. Giorgi Mamardashvili and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were two of their stars at Euro 2024, and the pair will once again be among the starters on Monday night, while captain Guram Kashia will be another notable inclusion. Georges Mikautadze was actually the joint-top goalscorer at Euro 2024 with three goals, and he will again feature in the final third of the field, with the forward bidding to add to his impressive total of 14 goals in 32 caps.
As for Albania, there is once again expected to be a spot through the middle for Mirlind Daku, with the 26-year-old aiming to add to the one goal that he has scored for his country. Elseid Hysaj is the captain and standout player, with the Lazio defender again set to feature in the XI, while the experienced Thomas Strakosha will be a notable inclusion between the sticks. Kristjan Asllani, who plays his club football for Inter Milan, will continue in midfield, while there should also be a starting role for Rangers attacker Nedim Bajrami.
Previewing the Match
Georgia enter Mikheil Meskhi Stadium for a match against opponents Albania this coming Monday. They are entering the final stretch of the Nations League B group stage as we have reached the fourth round. The last time these two sides facing off here came up against each other, Georgia came away with a 0-1 win. They have a similar outcome in mind at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, but face stern opposition, of course.
Whereas hosts Georgia sit as number 66 in the FIFA world ranking, visitors Albania arrive on Monday as number 67.
Taking stock halfway through the group stage Georgia amassed six and Albania collected three. This places them as number one and three, respectively.
Georgia scored an average of 1.6 goals in three matches or a total of five while allowing two goals against. This is an average of 0.6 goals against per match with one clean sheets along the way. Albania scored six goals, conceded ten and kept their opponents from scoring zero times in three matches.
Georgia are looking to bounce back from a recent setback and get back to winning ways. In their last three matches, they first took out Czech Republic by 4-1, before beating Albania by 0-1. The winning streak came to an end against Ukraine, who ran out 1-0 winners. Georgia claimed a middle-of-the-road three wins in their previous six internationals. They also drew one and lost two, as they scored nine and conceded seven goals.
Albania have only one win in their last three matches, as they did beat Ukraine by 1-2. Disappointment followed, going down 0-1 against Georgia, and 2-0 against Czech Republic. Albania only have one paltry win to show from the last six internationals. These six matches also produced a record of one draws and four defeats, as they were outscored by nine goals to five.
Georgia look well suited to build on their current momentum against visitors Albania. We expect them to deliver the goods in their upcoming clash at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium. Georgia have gone through an impressive 8 games at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium now without losing even once. Albania conceded a goal in their last 7 matches.
Betting Odds
The last time the pair played each other Georgia came away as 0-1 winners, and rest assured they have a similar outcome in mind this coming Monday. Georgia have been slightly more successful than Albania in recent meetings. With a 5-3-2 advantage going into this match, betting on Georgia has often proved the profitable way to go. The bookies best betting odds on a home win are at 9/10.
In the last ten matches between Georgia and Albania over 2.5 goals came out four times. Odds on at least three goals are at 5/4 with bookies.
Georges Mikautadze has three strikes in six matches for Georgia, who might be relying on his services against Albania. The opponents are looking to Qazim Laci, who has provided his team with one goals.
Georgia claimed all three points five times in their last 10 home matches across all tournaments, while also drawing four along the way. They endured defeat in one of the games in this run. Albania won two of their last 10 games away, while drawing four and losing four in this series of matches. Albania seem incapable of keeping things tight away from home, conceding at least once in their last 10 away games. Georgia kept five clean sheets in their last 10 games on home soil.
Key Players
Georgia possible starting lineup: Mamardashvili; Gvelesiani, Kashia, Dvali; Kakabadze, Kochorashvili, Kiteischvili, Chakvetadze, Lochoshvili; Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia
Albania possible starting lineup: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ismaili, Kumbulla, Mitaj; Laci, Ramadani; Asani, Asllani, Bajrami; Daku
Prediction
Given their nation's exploits of late, a 1-0 loss to Ukraine on Friday would have come as a shock to most Georgia fans. That shows just how far the Crusaders have come under Willy Sagnol and they should resume their progress when taking on Albania, who have lost their last two games to nil. Georgia made the last 16 at Euro 2024, beating Portugal 2-0 along the way, and a record of one loss in 14 home matches makes them deserved favourites in Tbilisi. Albania are winless in their last seven meetings with the Crusaders and are unlikely to break that streak against a strong Georgian side.
This is a tough match to call, with Albania certainly capable of picking up a positive result, but Georgia will be bidding to bounce back from a disappointing result last time out, and we are backing the hosts to navigate their way to all three points.
Looking Ahead
This clash promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes in recent matches. Georgia's recent performances at Euro 2024 and their home record suggest they will be looking to dominate the match, while Albania will be hoping for a positive result to bolster their position in the group. The outcome of this match will be crucial for both teams' ambitions in the UEFA Nations League.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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