These two sides have already failed in their bid to get to the World Cup next year with both of them too many points behind to even reach the playoff places in Group I.
This is Kosovo’s first qualifying campaign as an official FIFA member and, so far, things have not gone swimmingly with six defeats in seven matches. However, going into this match, it is certainly worth pointing out that the one point they have taken in their seven games so far came against Finland.
Unsurprisingly, Dardanet have not performed well at either end of the pitch in their small history with no clean sheets and just three goals scored in their seven competitive outings so far.
The Kosovans have not actually played any competitive home matches in Kosovo so far and instead have been playing matches in Shkoder, Albania. Interestingly, before this qualification campaign got underway, Kosovo had a good record in their homeland (playing in Pristina) – recording two wins and a draw in their last three games in Kosovo. However, playing home games abroad seems to have hindered them with three straight losses, conceding 12 in the process and scoring just twice.
Finland’s win against Euro 2016 heroes Iceland at the weekend meant that they managed to stop the rot of the last few months which had seen them take just one point from a possible 18. Unfortunately though, as previously mentioned, it is too late and they will definitely miss out on next year’s World Cup.
After failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their previous six competitive outings, Markku Kanerva saw his side keep one against Iceland at the weekend which of course gives hope going into this match against Kosovo. However, the final third has been a huge problem this campaign with just one goal scored in their previous four outings prior to that victory against Iceland.
Huuhkajat’s away form has been atrocious in the last couple of years with no competitive win since September 2015. Furthermore, they have kept just one clean sheet in that time – including friendly matches.
With both sides knowing that this is essentially a meaningless friendly, there should be no tension surrounding this match. Having said that, players will be keen to ensure they do not get injured as they head back to their club sides in the coming days. In terms of the betting, both defences look pretty terrible so I am going with Both Teams to Score at 19/20.