Andorra vs Kazakhstan
UEFA Nations League
Date: Monday, 10 September 2018
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella.
The UEFA Nations League continues on Tuesday night with this game from League D, Group 1. Already there looks like there is only going to be one winner with Georgia having bagged maximum points from their three fixtures to put them firmly on course for promotion and perhaps even a place at Euro 2020. The other three teams which includes Kazakhstan and Andorra, remain winless on two points each.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised that two teams who have long since developed a losing habit on the competitive international stage have struggled. Kazakhstan will be a bit disappointed though as they’ve failed to take some improved friendly showings in 2018 into this competition. They’ve already drawn in Andorra and Latvia in this group and will have their eyes set on trying to win the reverse fixtures at home, starting with this one.
Andorra finally won a competitive international in 2018 World Cup qualifying, stunning Hungary and they have certainly made some strides forward in recent years. They started their Nations League campaign with two draws to further suggest they are heading in the right direction but there was something of a reality check in Georgia last week, as they sank to a 3-0 defeat.
Kazakhstan aren’t quite on that level though and you sense their extremely defensive tactics could work a bit better here. Andorra have improved massively at the back in recent years and actually started 2018 with four straight clean sheets. One of those was away to Latvia earlier in this group and they’re now a side that can hold their own against the other minnows of European football and even teams on a slightly higher level than them. Scoring goals though remains a huge problem with just 2 scored in 11 matches since that famous win over the Hungarians.
Kazakhstan have a bit more firepower but still may find themselves short on creativity as they try to break this stubborn Andorran defence down. They’ve not scored more than once in a competitive international since a 2-2 draw with Poland in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifying game, over two years ago.
With both sides still searching for their first win in the competition, an edgy game, low on quality is likely and backing Under 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score – NO could be the way to go.
Andorra vs Kazakhstan: Head-to-head
The draw has joined these two sides together back in the World Cup 2010 Qualifications.
Kazakhstan came on top on both occasions bagging three goals in each of the matches, conceding just once along the way.
Andorra vs Kazakhstan: Prediction
Kazakhs just can’t seem to find the winning formula under the Bulgarian manager Stanimir Stoilov.
They ended the respective WC Qualification Group A at the very foot of the standings clinching just three points in ten games in the process.
Signs of improvements were seen in recent friendlies as Kazakhs bagged wins over Hungary and Azerbaijan netting three goals in each of these fixtures.
However, they disappointed heavily on Friday evening failing to avoid the home defeat to Georgia.
Nevertheless, the visitors might likely struggle to break the deadlock past Andorra who kept their net untouched in last four matches.
Under 2.5 goals FT looks to be the safest of betting options, while the value-seekers will fancy the Under 0.5 goals in the first half pick at 2.25.