Preview: Malta vs Luxembourg – prediction, crew information, lineups

Malta will host Luxembourg at Ta’Qali National Stadium on Thursday for the primary leg of their UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff tie.

The hosts are battling to safe promotion to League C, whereas the guests are preventing to keep away from relegation to League D. 

Match preview

Malta have been caught in League D of the UEFA Nations League since 2018-19, however they now have the prospect to climb into League C. 

After ending fourth in League D Group Three in 2018-19, adopted by back-to-back second-placed finishes in 2020-21 and 2022-23, Malta’s second-placed end in League D Group Two in 2024-25 has earned them a spot within the playoff. 

Malta began the 2024-25 competitors with a disappointing defeat to Moldova, however with two wins and one draw of their subsequent 4 video games, they climbed to second within the standings. 

As a consequence, Malta will compete in opposition to Luxembourg within the promotion/relegation playoff for the prospect to climb into League C.

Malta have struggled since that profitable Nations League group marketing campaign, successful simply one among their 11 matches because the final-day draw with Andorra. 

© Imago

Their opponents, Luxembourg, have equally endured a tough interval coming into this sport, with Jeff Strasser’s facet winless of their final 9 matches throughout all competitions. 

Most notably, Luxembourg suffered a depressing World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, shedding all of their six matches in Group A as they completed all-time low of the standings, leaving them in disastrous type coming into this conflict. 

Luxembourg had a equally disappointing Nations League marketing campaign in 2024-25, ending backside of League C Group Three after recording solely three attracts and three defeats from six video games. 

Consequently, Luxembourg will now combat to keep away from relegation again to League D for the primary time since incomes promotion to League C with a second-placed end in 2018-19. 

Malta type (all competitions):

D W L L W L

Luxembourg type (all competitions):

L L L L L L

Team News

© Imago / Goal Sports Images

Malta will probably be with out ahead Joseph Mbong for Thursday’s first-leg encounter attributable to a suspension. 

Several gamers have returned to the nationwide crew after lacking out beforehand, together with Jake Azzopardi, Andrea Zammit, Keyon Ewurum, James Sissons and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli. 

Luxembourg will stay with out their all-time prime scorer Gerson Rodrigues attributable to continued disciplinary motion. 

In his continued absence, a frontline of Danel Sinani, Aiman Dardari, Christopher Martins Pereira and Sebastien Thill might begin.

Malta doable beginning lineup:

Bonello; Muscat, Shaw, Mentz, Borg; Guillaumier, Satariano; Ewurum, Teuma, Chouaref; Cardona

Luxembourg doable beginning lineup:

Moris; Bohnert, Korac, Carlson, Jans; Olesen, Barreiro; Thill, Pereira, Dardari; Sinani

We say: Malta 1-1 Luxembourg

Both groups are in tough type heading into this sport, and with each keen to make sure they continue to be within the tie forward of the second leg, we count on a hard-fought draw.

For knowledge evaluation of the almost definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.