Preview: Albania vs. San Marino - prediction, team news, lineups

After picking up a crucial three points against Hungary on Sunday, Albania will be looking to keep the pressure on the two top places in Group I of the World Cup 2022 qualification.

They will face San Marino on Wednesday, who currently sit at the foot of the table having yet to register a single point within the competition.

Match preview

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Albania currently find themselves in third, with the 1-0 victory against Hungary during their last outing proving to be vital as they leapfrogged them in the table to be just one point behind Poland.

Group I's two top teams will face each other on Wednesday as England travel to play the Eagles, which increases the pressure on Edoardo Reja's squad heading into this game.

Young Chelsea striker Armando Broja came off the bench to score an 87th-minute winner on Sunday, helping his team earn their third victory of the qualification process so far.

Albania have been inconsistent as of late, with two victories, two defeats and a draw in their last five games, but they will be keen to pick up consecutive wins here in order to build some momentum.

The two teams have already collided in this group back in March and it was Reja's men who came out on top with a 2-0 victory after goals from Rey Manaj and Myrto Uzuni.

This was just one of five losses for San Marino, who have been beaten in each game to this point, only managing to score one goal, which came in their most recent performance against Poland on Sunday.

However, Nicola Nanni's finish did not prove to be meaningful as they suffered their biggest loss in the group to date, being beaten 7-1 in a game to forget for the squad.

San Marino certainly head into this fixture as the underdogs and any form of a result would be a huge positive for them, with the team ranked 210th in the FIFA rankings.

Team News

After finding the back of the net against Hungary, Broja could have earned himself a place in the starting lineup heading into Wednesday's clash with San Marino.

At the other end of the pitch, Etrit Berisha will be set to start in goal after keeping a clean sheet against Hungary as he continues to fight to be the number one goalkeeper for his country.

Experienced forward Sokol Cikalleshi was an unused substitute on Sunday, but he could be provided some game time within the fixture against San Marino as well.

The visitors will be sure to start Nanni after he was able to score in the heavy defeat against Poland, but there could also be an opportunity for Mirko Palazzi and Fabio Tomassini to play after making an impact from the bench.

Albania possible starting lineup:
Berisha; Ismajli, Kumbulla, Djimsiti; Doka, Trashi, Abrashi, Gjasula, Bajrami; Cikalleshi, Broja

San Marino possible starting lineup:
Benedettini; D'Addario, Fabbri, Brolli, Rossi, Palazzi; Lunadei, Golinucci, Mularoni; Nanni, Vitaioli

We say: Albania 5-0 San Marino

Anything other than a victory for Albania would be a huge surprise from this fixture, with three points being expected from Reja's squad here.

Considering San Marino's history, it is going to be a game where the hosts will be looking to score as many as possible in case goal difference proves to be vital.