Both off to the best possible start in their new UEFA Nations League campaign, Kosovo and Greece meet in Pristina on Sunday, with the chance to move clear at the top of League C Group 2.
While the hosts kicked off with victory in Cyprus, their visitors were 1-0 winners against Northern Ireland and now aim to take another step closer to reaching the competition's second tier.
Match preview
© Reuters
In charge of his first competitive match as Greece manager, well-travelled Uruguayan coach Gus Poyet led his new-look side to victory at Windsor Park on Thursday, at the start of a hectic Nations League schedule this summer.
In the first of four fixtures in less than a fortnight, the Galanolefki dominated much of the match against Group 2 rivals Northern Ireland, and captain Tasos Bakasetas fired home what turned out to be the winning goal in the 39th minute.
The early stages of Poyet's reign had previously brought a mixed return from two springtime friendlies, with a 1-0 win in Romania being followed by defeat away to Montenegro, so a composed display in Belfast will have pleased the notoriously fiery coach.
With three points already on the board, Greece can focus on escaping from League C, following two previous failures to do so, and following on from an impressive conclusion to the Nations League's 2020 edition, they are now seven games unbeaten in Europe's newest international tournament.
Keeping clean sheets in each of their last five outings in the third tier suggests that Greece are capable of competing at a higher level, though they recently missed out on qualification for this winter's World Cup by finishing behind Spain and Sweden.
During the process, they drew twice with Sunday's opponents, who may be relative newcomers on the international scene but often pose a tough nut to crack.
© Reuters
While Kosovo's attempts at reaching Qatar 2022 ended in dismal failure - finishing rock-bottom of Group B, with only one win from eight games - taking a point against Greece both home and away demonstrated a great deal of resilience.
On both occasions - in September and November of last year - the Dardanet had minimal possession and soaked up plenty of attacking pressure by their Greek counterparts, but held out for 1-1 draws.
The Balkan nation were also part of Greece's group in the compressed 2020 Nations League: taking another spirited point away from Athens but losing at home, as they finished a distant third in the final standings.
Only escaping relegation to the depths of League D by virtue of Moldova's poor performance, in their third campaign Alain Giresse's side have made a brighter start: beating Cyprus 2-0 on the opening matchday, with Valon Berisha and Lille winger Edon Zhegrova both scoring in the second half.
Ranked only 107th in the world, Kosovo thereby extended their unbeaten run to four matches after commendable results in friendlies against Burkina Faso and Switzerland back in March, and that momentum could prove crucial heading into back-to-back games in Pristina.
- W
- L
- L
- D
- W
- D
- W
- W
- L
- L
- D
- W
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Given the short turnaround between matches in this month's international period, Greece coach Gus Poyet may make some changes to the side which started the win at Windsor Park on Thursday.
Both full-backs - Kostas Tsimikas of Liverpool and AEK's Lazaros Rota - were to the fore in Belfast, while Dimitris Limnios and Celtic's Giorgos Giakoumakis impressed up front, so each could retain their place, but debutant George Baldock and fellow substitute Dimitris Kourbelis will hope to feature in defence and midfield respectively.
Poyet has preferred a 4-2-3-1 formation so far, with captain Tasos Bakasetas playing an integral role behind the front man, but the former Bordeaux boss could also deploy a three-man front line; giving Tasos Chatzigiovanis an opportunity to feature on the flank.
Meanwhile, Kosovo have a more limited squad to choose from, so are less likely to make changes from their midweek success in Cyprus - particularly at home to perhaps their toughest Group J opponents.
Napoli's Amir Rrahmani is set to captain the side from central defence once again, lining up in a back four ahead of Manchester City goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, while all-time leading scorer Vedat Muriqi (with 18 international goals) leads the line; supported by Milot Rashica and Edon Zhegrova from out wide.
Kosovo possible starting lineup:
Muric; Kastrati, Rrahmani, Kryeziu, Aliti; Berisha, Loshaj, Idrizi; Zhegrova, Muriqi, Rashica
Greece possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Rota, Mavropanos, Chatzidiakos, Tsimikas; Bouchalakis, Kourbelis; Limnios, Bakasetas, Masouras; Giakoumakis
We say: Kosovo 1-1 Greece
Meetings between these two nations - relatively frequent over the past two years - tend to be closely fought, with Greece dictating the play but their Kosovar counterparts holding out for a point.
With some good recent form and home advantage on their side, the hosts can repeat such a feat once again and stay tied on top of the early group table, before two more games next week - including the return fixture in Volos.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
