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Peter Green - September 8, 2019
England vs Kosovo
EURO Qualification
Date: Tuesday, 10 September 2019
Kick-off at 19:45 UK/ 20:45 CET
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium (Southampton).
Another one in the series of lopsided games the Euro qualification process has to offer this weekend. On one side we have the World Cup Semi-finalists, the English, currently blessed with a gifted crop of youngsters, lovingly called the next generation of golden talents from the country.
And on the other side of the pitch, we have Kosovo, who took part in the bottom-most League D of the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Do keep note that the same tournament saw the Three Lions top their group in League A, and win the third-place match against Switzerland.
Our hosts for the day and the Czech Republic will likely take the two qualification spots for the maiden group in the Qualifiers. Meanwhile, the likes of Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Kosovo will act as bottom-fodder for the top two.
This match-up has another peculiarity too, that the fans will be interested in keeping a close watch. Unlike many other fixtures, the two sides in this tie are locking horns against each other for the first time in history, and despite some clear indication as to who the favorite is already, an upset cannot be ruled out.
England will be wary of this threat and they have been called perennial chokers, despite boasting some of the best footballers the sport has to offer at any moment being in their midst. For sure the new roster filled with young bloods is determined to make a change to that situation.
A preliminary glance at the rosters of both would be enough to determine who among these the overwhelming favorite is.
While the English side possesses some of the fiercest footballers in the world at the moment – a huge courtesy to the Premier League – their counterparts have to make do with players who’d be comparatively mediocre on their best day.
Besides, the home advantage hugely tips the scales in the favor of Harry Kane and his boys. It’d be unwise to bet against them.
Moreover, experience-wise, the Gareth Southgate’s men hold a major upper hand. Just the last year, they had threatened to go all the way in the World Cup and followed it up with a majestic run in the Nations League. On the other hand, Kosovo has always been stuck in the qualification processes.
