Preview: Malta vs Greece – predictions, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Thursday’s International Friendly clash between Malta and Greece, including predictions, team news and possible formations.
Malta and Greece prepare to take the field for the penultimate match of 2022 in Thursday’s international friendly at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.
No nation has made it to the finals of the 2022 World Cup and preparations are already ramping up for the imminent qualification period for Euro 2024.
Match preview
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This month begins a new era for the Maltese national team, how Devis MangiaThe three-year spell on the hotseat ended following the conclusion of another UEFA Nations League campaign at the League D stage.
The reins will now be taken on an interim basis by the former Under-21 manager Gilbert Agius – who is third in Malta’s all-time appearance list with 120 caps and fourth in goals with eight – as the Falcons turn to one of their luminaries on the field to work his magic on the side.
It will come as little surprise to learn that Malta have never qualified for the World Cup, finishing dead last in UEFA Group H during the qualification for the 2022 edition, taking just five points from 10 games. against Croatia, Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Cyprus.
The world’s 168th-ranked nation only had a pair of wins over hapless San Marino to show for their efforts in the 2022-23 Nations League, as they finished second in League D Group 2 with three teams, with Estonia gaining promotion to the League. C at their expense.
The friendlies have been pleasant affairs for Malta in 2022, however, as the Falcons beat Azerbaijan and Kuwait in March before a memorable 2-1 win over Israel in September, but the Greece is indeed a different kettle of fish.
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The failure to convert a point into three proved to be Greece’s downfall in the qualifying period for the World Cup, as the 2004 European champions could only finish third in Group B, ahead of Georgia and Kosovo as expected but behind Sweden and Spain.
Greece have now failed to qualify for the World Cup twice in a row after also missing out on a place in Russia four years ago, but Gus Poyet he has inspired a stellar run of results since taking over in February, and his side finally made it out of League C into the Nations League at the third time of asking.
A 1-0 loss against Cyprus was the only defeat on the notebook for Greece in the 2022-23 tournament, as they have otherwise collected five wins against Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Mediterranean nation to gain promotion to League B while conceding only two goals en route.
Solid defense has been a recurring theme for Greece under Poyet, whose side have conceded just three goals in all of 2022, but they face an unforgiving Euro 2024 qualifying group with France, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar next year. .
Malta and Greece have met 10 times in Euro qualifying over the years, with the Pirate Ship winning seven of those matches – including each of their last four – but the most recent confrontation between the two nations it arrived back in 2011.
Form of Malta International Friendlies:
Malta form (all competitions):
Form of Greece in International Friendlies:
Greece form (all competitions):
Team News
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It remains to be seen how new Malta coach Agius will line up for his first game in charge, but he has tended to favor a backline of three players during his time in charge of the club. -21 years, although without much success.
The hosts’ squad for the November matches includes the winger Jodi Joneswho plies his trade in League One with Oxford United, while a 65-cap defender Steve Borg he must captain the side from the backline.
As for Greece, there are some notable absentees from Poyet’s squad for the November friendlies, namely the Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikaswho was left at home to rest and recuperate.
goalkeeper of Benfica Odysseas Vlachodimos and defender of Stuttgart Dinos Mavropanos he won’t be involved either, but there is still room for several established international stars.
That he likes Anastasios Bakasetas, Giorgos Masouras and Giorgos Tzavellas all can start here, while DC United Taxiarchis Fountas he is also involved following an MLS investigation into an alleged racist term aimed at Damion Lowe concluded that such claims could not be verified, even though the accusations were of a “credible” nature.
Possible initial formation in Malta:
Bonello; Pepe, S. Borg, J. Borg; J. Mbong, Guillaumier, Kristensen, Camenzuli; Teuma; Satariano, Degabriele
Greece possible starting lineup:
Blessings; Rota, Chatzidiakos, Tzavellas, Kyriakopoulos; Bakasetas, Kourbelis, Mantalos; Masouras, Ioannidis, Pelkas
Let’s say: Malta 0-3 Greece
Any new managerial bounce that comes into effect for Malta this week is unlikely to count for much against an informed Greek side, even if Poyet is without most of the first-choice backline his
There is no consistent international goalscorer in the visitors’ ranks – Bakasetas is the top scorer in the current squad with just eight strikes – but the Pirate Ship should still be far too strong for Malta here.
For a data analysis of the most likely results, score lines and more for this match please click here.
The top tip
Our expert tipster partners on Sporita.com they are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried and tested football tips.More than 1.5:data