Verdict: Away Over 2.5 goals
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Belarus is playing their last card in the hopes of qualifying for EURO 2024. They have a difficult hurdle to cross over in Budapest where they will face an undefeated Romania. The match is crucial for both teams as we enter the last stage of the Group I games. The march will be played on Szusza Ferenc Stadion (Budapest), starting from 21:45.
Belarus
Belarus is not able to play on home soil due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. They will have to travel to Hungary in Budapest where they will host Romania on Szusza Ferenc Stadion. The hosts failed to qualify for any international tournament either the World Cup or the Euro. Their chances are very slim to achieve history, sitting 5th in the table, 8 points from the last qualifying position.
With just 4 games left to play, Belarus need a win to keep their hopes alive. Carlos Ferer s players managed to win only one game so far: 2-1 at home with Kosovo. Another draw away at Andorra, after a poor display from both sides, is keeping alive the dream to play in Germany next year. Belarus game played away at Israel where they lost 1-0, brought the team from the former Soviet Union to 2 consecutive matches without a goal scored.
Team News
Carlos Alós Ferrer will be able to align his best squad for tonight s decisive game against Romania. Pavel Satsvikiy and Zakha Volkov are 1 booking away from suspension.
Belarus are expected to play on the front foot like they did in Israel with 3 attacking players upfront. Mozorov will play as a striker expecting deliveries from his fellow wingers Kontsevoy and Pechenin. Poykalov and Volkov will lead the back 4 alongside Karpovich and Politevich.
Romania
Romania is inching towards another European tournament qualification after an 8-year break. The team managed by Edi Iordanescu is undefeated in group I with 3 wins and 3 draws. Sitting 2nd behind leaders Switzerland, winning the next 2 games with Belarus and Andorra will book Romania s tickets to Germany. With Israel matches being postponed due to the terrorist attacks, Switzerland and Romania can benefit on the field from these unfortunate events.
Romania is playing excellent away managing to steal 1 point from Switzerland in Luzern, overturning a 2-0 deficit at half-time for an incredible comeback in the last 5 minutes of the match. The visitors will benefit as well from the short-distance travel and the weather conditions in Hungary that are very similar to the ones in Romania. Winning the 1st game of the group against Belarus (2-1) back in March is a performance that Edi Iordanescu and his players will look to repeat.
Team News
Edi Iordanescu has called up 26 players for the matches with Belarus and Andorra. The striker George Puscas was left out being inefficient in the previous matches with Israel and Kosovo. Birligea and Louis Munteanu are the new attacking players who will start from the bench, hoping to get some time of play against Belarus.
Desnis Alibec is expected to lead the attack backed on the sides by Ianis Hagi and Nicusor Stanciu. Dragusin, the new sensation from Genova FC will lead the defensive line of 4, Bancu, Burca, and Ratiu being the other 3 defenders.
Key factors to consider
Belarus failed to score in their last 2 matches (0-0 at Andorra and 1-0 at Israel).
The home team never qualified for a WC or Euro, having slim chances to do so in this campaign.
Carlos Alós Ferrer s team is struggling in attack scoring only 4 goals in their 6 games played.
Belarus has an average of 1.83 goals conceded per game.
Romania never lost in front of Belarus (W5 D2).
Edi Iordanescu s team is undefeated in Group I (W3 D3).
With a win against Belarus, Romania will be edging closer to booking their ticket to the EURO 2024.
Tricolorii had the 2nd best attack in the group (9 goals scored) only behind the leader Switzerland.
Romania is undefeated in the away games since June 2022.
Conclusion
Romania are favourites to win against Belarus, a victory that will get them closer to qualifying for next year s European tournament hosted by Germany. Belarus remains with mathematical chances to qualify for the first time in their history to a tournament but a miracle is needed to achieve such a performance. Both on the field and on paper, the visitors look stronger, but the hosts last game played against Israel is telling us that Romania will not have an easy match.
Verdict: Away Over 2.5 goals
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