Also competing for the top spot in Group C2, group leaders Romania and second-placed Kosovo will face each other in the UEFA Nations League on Friday evening.
The Tricolorii's impeccable form has given them a three-point lead ahead of this month's deciding game, with only victory guaranteeing them promotion.
Latest Romania vs Kosovo team information
Mircea Lucescu has named his 26-man squad for this month's Group 2 decider, with four new names in the squad. Heading towards his 80th birthday, the veteran Romania coach has selected a familiar line-up, led by captain Nicolae Stanciu.
Once again, Trabzonspor striker Denis Dragus will lead the line in a 4-3-3 formation, with support from Parma pair Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila.
Former Inter Milan and Reading striker George Puscas was left out of the squad, replaced by FSCB's Daniel Birligea - who has scored three goals in four Europa League appearances this season.
Cluj defender Matei Ilie is a surprise addition after returning from injury recently, while Alexandru Chipciu's absence means Nicusor Bancu will be the Tricolorii's only left-back.
On Kosovo's side, the team will be without wingers Milot Rashica and Ermal Krasniqi, attacking midfielder Bersant Celina, and left-back Leart Paqarada of Koln due to injury.
However, the good news for coach Franco Foda is that Vedat Muriqi, Kosovo's all-time top scorer with 28 goals, has returned to the team after being sidelined with a muscle injury last month.
With a number of his attacking teammates absent, Mallorca striker and Edon Zhegrova will shoulder most of the load up front.
Latest expected lineup Romania vs Kosovo
Romania:
Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; R. Marin, M. Marin, Stanciu; Man, Dragus, Mihaila
Kosovo:
Muric; Vojvoda, Am. Rrahmani, Aliti, Rrudhani; Jashari, V. Berisha; Zhegrova, Muslija, Bytyqi; Muriqi
Latest football commentary Romania vs Kosovo
After maintaining a perfect record in Group 2 in October, Romania now lead the group with 12 points, and they are on track for promotion to Europe's second-tier competition.
An early Dennis Man goal gave Romania an early advantage against Cyprus, before the Tricolorii added two more to seal a 3-0 win. Three days later, they beat Lithuania 2-1 in Kaunas thanks to a second-half strike from Denis Dragus.
In September, not long after their Euro 2024 journey ended in the first knockout round, Romania comfortably beat Kosovo and Lithuania, scoring three goals in each match, demonstrating their strength and setting the tone for what was to come.
Mircea Lucescu's side will be promoted if they avoid defeat to Kosovo at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest, and if they win their group they will also extend their chances of reaching the World Cup playoffs.
Since Lucescu replaced Edward Iordanescu in the summer – returning to the national team for the first time in 38 years – Romania have continued to climb the FIFA rankings, most recently rising to 43rd place, and they are determined to maintain that upward momentum.
Although Kosovo started their new Nations League campaign with a 4-0 defeat to Romania in September, with Man and Dragus both scoring in Pristina, they have quickly recovered their form.
In the next three games, the team scored nine goals and conceded just once, taking full points and creating a six-point gap over third place.
As well as winning both legs against Cyprus, Franco Foda's side also beat Lithuania last month, when goals from Ermal Krasniqi and Lille star Edon Zhegrova secured a 2-1 win.
Kosovo are now on course for a promotion playoff spot when the group stage concludes next week, and a win over Romania would keep their hopes of finishing top of the group alive.
Whatever the result, coach Foda – who has won four of his seven games since taking charge in February – appears to be steering Kosovo in the right direction, and they are now aiming for a place in League B.
Romania vs Kosovo score prediction
Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the Romania vs Kosovo match:
- Sportsmole: Romania 2-1 Kosovo
- WhoScore: Romania 2-0 Kosovo
- Our prediction: Romania 2-1 Kosovo
When and where to watch Romania vs Kosovo live?
To watch the live match Romania vs Kosovo in the Nations League taking place at 2:45 a.m. on November 16, viewers can watch on TV360 here, Mytv system here or on online sports channels. Wishing viewers happy moments of watching football.
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nhan-dinh-du-doan-romania-vs-kosovo-lam-kho-doi-khach-234282.html
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