Kick – Off Time: 7:45pm

Date: Saturday, September 7, 2019.

Venue: Stade De France.

As we approach the international break, all various leagues in their respective countries are put on hold for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2020 Tournament coming up next year, starting from June 12 to July 12, 2020. Various teams have been drawn in their qualifying groups.

The Match Preview is between France and Albania. Both sides will lock horns on September 7, 2019, by 7:45 pm.

The World Cup Winners will host Albania at Stade de France.  They have been on an excellent run beating the likes of Andorra, Turkey, Iceland, and Moldova. Going into this fixture, France has won five of their last six international outings, the latest of which was a 4-0 win over Andorra.

Currently as it stands, they are sitting on top of the log with nine points out of 4 matches played and nine goals.

As prolific as they are, France also has its shortcomings. On some occasions, they tend to lose focus when playing.

Take for instance, their Match against Turkey, where they lost 2-0. They were not consistent, thereby allowing the opposition to take advantage and eventually ran out winners in that Match. Now, going to the Match against Albania, they have to be focused and get the job done.

France Form in the last six matches:

W, W, W, W L, W

Matteo Guendouzi earns his first call-up

Arsenal’s Matteo Guendouzi earned his first call-up to the squad to replace the injured Paul Pogba. The midfielder twisted his ankle during their 1-1 draw against Southampton last weekend.

Other notable injured absentees are PSG’s Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele and Manchester United’s Anthony Martial.

Albania, on the other hand, is occupying the 4th position and having played four games with 6 points and two goals.

Albania’s Form in the last six matches:

L, W, L, W, L, W.

The World Cup holders entertain Andorra next at the same venue three days later.

Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi.