Still unbeaten in Euro 2024 qualifying, Czech Republic travel to face group leaders Albania at the Arena Kombëtare in Tirana on Thursday, 12 October. 

With just one shot on target throughout the entire game, The Eagles earned a valuable point in a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Prague last month. 

Albania Betting Preview (+230 at MyBookie) 

Bidding to solidify their place at the top of Group E, Albania will welcome the Czech Republic on the back of a massive 2-0 home win over Poland at the Arena Kombëtare in Tirana last month. 

Having made their European Championship debut at France 2016, The Red and Blacks are aiming to reach their second major finals in Germany next year.  

The Albanian Football Association announced that it had reached an agreement with former Brazil international Sylvinho to be the new head coach of the Albania national team and that Pablo Zabaleta and Doriva were also appointed as assistant coaches.

So far so good, after a 1-0 loss at Poland in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier, Albania have gone undefeated in their past four group stage fixtures, having taken 10 points from them (three wins and one draw). 

A positive outcome against the Czechs could be a huge step towards booking their place in next summer's tournament as Albania have a favorable schedule next month. First, they'll face Bulgaria in a friendly game on Tuesday before qualifying matches against Moldova (away) and the Faroe Islands (home next month) in November. 

Sylvinho is set to be without centre-back Ardian Ismajli, who is missing with a knee injury, meaning Frederic Veseli could slot into the back alongside Atalanta's Berat Djimsiti.

Marash Kumbulla remains a long-term absentee for Albania, but Armando Broja is set to make his first international appearance since last November, when he featured in the 3-1 friendly loss against Italy. 

The Chelsea forward had to endure a long-term injury layoff but he returned to competitive action last month. Moreover, Broja scored his first goal of the season in a 2-0 victory over West London rivals Fulham in the Premier League earlier this month and Sylvinho could be tempted to start him. 

With that said, it remains to be seen whether Sokol Cikalleshi will keep his place up front, but Sylvinho cannot complain from the lack of competition for that position. Furthermore, Cikalleshi scored the consolation goal in Albania's 3-1 friendly loss to the Czech Republic in June 2021

Cikalleshi has been directly involved in four goals (three goals and one assist) in four league matches for Konyaspor this season, but is yet to score since last month's international break. The 33-year-old striker missed the matches with Ankaragucu and Besiktas due to a hamstring injury but he recovered to start in the 3-1 defeat at Hatayspor on Sunday. 

Mirlind Daku scored a wonderful goal only seconds after he was brought on as a second-half substitute against Poland. Having made his international debut against the Czech Republic a few days earlier, Daku will have to compete with the likes of Sokol Cikalleshi and Armando Broja for a place up front.

Elsewhere, Mario Mitaj will be the player who'll certainly take some personal benefits from his cooperation with head coach Sylvinho. 

Nedim Bajrami scored the equalizer in Prague last month and the Sassuolo playmaker is Albania's top goalscorer in Euro 2024 qualifying with three goals in five matches. 

Jasir Asani's screamer inspired Albania's victory over Poland and the Gwangju FC winger will hope to maintain his starting spot.

Czech Republic Betting Preview (+133 at MyBookie)

Having participated at all of the last eight European Championship finals since the increase to 16 teams in 1996, Czech Republic are in a good position to qualify for Germany 2024, but they must be more consistent from now on. 

The Czech Republic opened their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 home win over Poland in March, with Ladislav Krejci, Tomas Cvancara and Jan Kuchta all getting on the scoresheet. The promising start was followed by a disappointing 0-0 draw at Moldova only a few days later, though. 

Jaroslav Silhavy's side will also take on Group E minnows Faroe Islands on Sunday before they travel to Poland and host Moldova in their final two Group E games next month. 

Alex Kral won't be available for selection as the Union Berlin midfielder picked up an injury early in his club's 4-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund last weekend. 

Having enjoyed a strong campaign with FC Twente in the Eredivisie last season, Vaclav Cerny joined Bundesliga side Wolfsburg this summer. The Czech winger, who opened the scoring against Albania last month, already boasts three goals in the Euro 2024 qualifying and will hope to add to his tally on Thursday. 

David Jurásek, who joined Portuguese giants Benfica over the summer, missed last month's international games due to an ankle injury but the left-back should be fine to start on Thursday. 

Adam Hlozek will be pushing for a start here, though the Bayer Leverkusen attacker is yet to start a game in the Bundesliga and only has late second-half cameos this season. Hlozek got more playing time in the German Cup and the Europa League, and will likely have to settle for a place on the bench against Albania. 

Tomas Cvancara, who left Czech champions Sparta Prague to join Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach this summer, should start in attack. Cvancara made his international debut and scored his first goal for the Czech Republic in the 3-1 victory over Poland in March, while he also boasts five goals and two assists in seven appearances for Gladbach this season. 

Meanwhile, Vaclav Jurecka, Mojmir Chytil and Jan Kuchta are all in contention to lead the line.  

Possible Starting Lineups of Albania and Czech Republic 

Albania: Thomas Strakosha - Mario Mitaj, Berat Djimsiti, Frederic Veseli, Elseid Hysaj - Ylber Ramadani, Kristjan Asllani - Myrto Uzuni, Nedim Bajrami, Jasir Asani - Sokol Cikalleshi. (4-2-3-1) 

Czech Republic: Jiri Pavlenka - Ladislav Krejci, Tomas Holes, Jakub Brabec - Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Soucek, Michal Sadilek, David Jurásek - Vaclav Cerny, Jan Kuchta, Tomas Cvancara. (3-4-3) 

Spooky Express Betting Prediction 

 

Albania are top of the group, two points clear of the Czech Republic, who have a game in hand at their disposal.

Armando Broja's long-awaited comeback will significantly boost Albania's firepower and we believe that the home side can be really dangerous, especially on home soil. 

The Czechs, on the other hand, will hope to avoid the same mistakes they did one month ago and will need to be more clinical if they are to regain the top spot in Group E

Spooky Express Free Play: Both teams to score - Yes +104 at MyBookie for 5/10 Units