Preview: Kosovo vs Sweden – prediction, team news, lineups

Looking to get off the mark in UEFA World Cup qualifying Group B, Kosovo will welcome Sweden to Fadil Vokrri Stadium on Monday.

Dardanet will be hoping to bounce back from defeat last time out, while Blagult are aiming to secure their first win in the group.

Match preview

Franco Foda‘s Kosovo will be desperate to reach their first World Cup finals since becoming a FIFA member state, after missing out on the 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament.

However, Dardanet began their efforts with a 4-0 loss on the road against Switzerland on Friday, and the manager will be particularly disappointed that his team conceded all four goals before half time.

That defeat has Foda’s side bottom of the pile in Group B with zero points, leaving them behind Slovenia, their opponents Sweden and the top-of-the-table A-Team.

Hoping to return to winning ways, the hosts will draw confidence from their excellent home record that features five straight victories across all competitions at Fadil Vokrri Stadium.

Three points on Monday would be enough to realistically lift Kosovo up to second in the table, and though they may end the matchday level on points with Switzerland, they are unlikely to pull off an eight goal-difference swing.

Meanwhile, Jon Dahl Tomasson‘s Sweden missed out on three of the last four World Cups, having most recently reached the quarter-finals back in 2018.

On Friday, Blagult kicked off their group action by earning a point in a 2-2 draw with Slovenia, and while the result was not the worst possible outcome, the boss will be frustrated that his players surrendered the lead twice.

That stalemate has Dahl Tomasson’s men second in Group B, and finishing runners-up would enter them into a playoff to make the 2026 finals.

Looking for their first qualifying win in this clash, fans of the visitors will take heart from the fact that their team have only lost one of their last six matches on the road, but they may also harbour doubts considering that Sweden have won just half of those games.

Victory on Monday could send Blagult to the top of the table, though defeat could leave them at the foot of the group depending on Slovenia’s goal difference.

Kosovo World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:

Kosovo form (all competitions):

Sweden World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:

Sweden form (all competitions):

Team News

Kosovo centre-back Amir Rrahmani was substituted off with an injury just beyond the hour mark against Switzerland, and Ilir Krasniqi could come into the XI in his place on Monday.

Further forward, Dardanet’s second all-time top scorer, Milot Rashica, was left out of the squad due to a muscle injury he picked up towards the end of August, so expect to see Ermal Krasniqi start on the right flank.

As for Sweden, Alexander Isak was part of the squad against Slovenia, but the manager has stated that he is not fit enough to start due to missing pre-season and months of team training as a result of his controversial exit from Newcastle United.

The Liverpool striker may come off the bench late on in this clash – if at all – but Viktor Gyokeres will start alongside Anthony Elanga up top.

Elsewhere, centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke was injured earlier this week and is not expected to be back in action until October, but Hjalmar Ekdal, Isak Hien and Gabriel Gudmundsson are set to continue in Blagult’s back three.

Kosovo possible starting lineup:

Muric; Vojvoda, I Krasniqi, Dellova, Paqarada; Avdullahu, Rexhbecaj, Jashari; E Krasniqi, Muriqi, Muslija

Sweden possible starting lineup:

Olsen; Ekdal, Hien, Gudmundsson; Saletros; Bernhardsson, Larsson, Ayari, Svensson; Elanga, Gyokeres

We say: Kosovo 2-2 Sweden

Kosovo may have lost their first qualifying game 4-0, but they had won the previous five matches on the bounce, and they could regain their footing with a point on Monday.

Sweden have been inconsistent on the road, and with just three wins from their last six away games, they may have to settle for another draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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