Preview: Malta vs Luxembourg – prediction, team news, lineups

Malta will host Luxembourg at Ta’Qali National Stadium on Thursday for the primary leg of their UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff tie.

The hosts are battling to safe promotion to League C, whereas the guests are combating to keep away from relegation to League D.

Match preview

Malta have been caught in League D of the UEFA Nations League since 2018-19, however they now have the prospect to climb into League C.

After ending fourth in League D Group Three in 2018-19, adopted by again-to-again second-positioned finishes in 2020-21 and 2022-23, Malta’s second-positioned end in League D Group Two in 2024-25 has earned them a spot within the playoff.

Malta began the 2024-25 competitors with a disappointing defeat to Moldova, however with two wins and one draw of their subsequent 4 video games, they climbed to second within the standings.

As a outcome, Malta will compete towards Luxembourg within the promotion/relegation playoff for the prospect to climb into League C.

Malta have struggled since that profitable Nations League group marketing campaign, profitable simply one in every of their 11 matches for the reason that ultimate-day draw with Andorra.

Their opponents, Luxembourg, have equally endured a troublesome interval coming into this recreation, with Jeff Strasser’s aspect profitable of their final 9 matches throughout all competitions.

Most notably, Luxembourg suffered a depressing World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, dropping all of their six matches in Group A as they completed all-time low of the standings, leaving them in disastrous type coming into this conflict.

Luxembourg had a equally disappointing Nations League marketing campaign in 2024-25, ending backside of League C Group Three after recording solely three attracts and three defeats from six video games.

Consequently, Luxembourg will now combat to keep away from relegation again to League D for the primary time since incomes promotion to League C with a second-positioned end in 2018-19.

Malta type (all competitions):

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Luxembourg type (all competitions):

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Team News

© Imago / Goal Sports Images

Malta can be with out ahead Joseph Mbong for Thursday’s first-leg encounter on account of a suspension.

Several gamers have returned to the nationwide team after lacking out beforehand, together with Jake AzzopardiAndrea Zammit, Keyon Ewurum, James Sissons and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.

Luxembourg will stay with out their all-time prime scorer Gerson Rodrigues on account of continued disciplinary motion.

In his continued absence, a frontline of Daniel SinaniAiman ​​Dardari, Christopher Martins Pereira and Sebastien Thill might begin.

Malta attainable beginning lineup:

Bonello; Muscat, Shaw, Mentz, Borg; Guillaumier, Satariano; Ewurum, Teuma, Chouaref; Cardona

Luxembourg attainable beginning lineup:

Morris; Bohnert, Korac, Carlson, Jans; Olesen, Barreiro; Thill, Pereira, Dardari; Sinani

We say: Malta 1-1 Luxembourg

Both groups are in troublesome type heading into this recreation, and with each keen to make sure they continue to be within the tie forward of the second leg, we anticipate a tough-fought draw.

For information evaluation of the most certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.