It's do or die time in UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying Group A, and the biggest match of the day on Thursday will be played at Doosan Arena in Plzen, where second-placed Czech Republic take on third-placed Kosovo. The reverse fixture was won by Kosovo 2-1 in September, Patrik Schick opened the scoring for the visitors but Vedat Muriqi and Mergim Vojvoda found the back of the net for the home side. That was the first ever meeting between the two sides as Kosovo were accepted in UEFA and FIFA in 2016.
Czech Republic have played in the last six editions of the European Championships and even reached the final back in 1996. However, they have not qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and now they are eager to return to a major tournament after that disappointment. Last month they clinched a huge result, they defeated group leaders England 2-1 in Prague, and that result kept them one point ahead of Kosovo in the group table. Now they would need a draw in Tursday's game to stay ahead of Kosovo and then they can surely hope to beat last-placed Bulgaria in the last group match on Sunday.
Kosovo have made a big impression during this qualifying campaign, they defeated the Czech Republic and put on a good show at Wembley in the 5-3 defeat against England. They started the campaign with 1-1 draws against Bulgaria and Montenegro and those two slip-ups can prove extremely costly if they don't manage to grab all three points in Plzen. The last group match is a tough one for Kosovo, they will host group leaders England on Sunday. Star striker Vedat Muriqi is unavailable for this match due to an injury.
Probable line-ups:
Czech Republic: Vaclik - Coufal, Celustka, Brabec, Boril - Kral, Soucek - Masopust, Darida, Jankto - Ondrasek
Kosovo: Muric - Vojvoda, Rahmani, Aliti, Kololli - Voca, Halimi - Zhegrova, Celina, Berisha - Nuhiu
My prediction:
Czech Republic have proven their worth in the 2-1 victory over England last month, they surely are capable of qualifying from this group. However, Kosovo have shown great enthusiasm during this campaign and I think they will fight fiercely in this match. I think this will end with a 2-2 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at NetBet:
Czech Republic win - 1.69
Draw - 4.05
Kosovo win - 4.65
