Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland predictions: Stalemate in 35/1 Bet Builder for Pristina clash
Enda McElhinney
Kosovo have lost just two of their last nine internationals including home and away wins over Sweden in World Cup qualifying
The Republic of Ireland have not lost any of their last eight games in normal time
Recommended bet: Draw, Troy Parrott to Score Anytime & Edon Zhegrova to Score Anytime at 35/1 with LiveScore Bet
The Nations League gets under way this week, and the Republic of Ireland are on the road in Pristina for a first-ever meeting with Kosovo in Group B3.
Heimir Hallgrimsson knows a top-two finish will guarantee the Republic of Ireland a pot two spot when the draw for the Euro 2028 qualifiers is made in Belfast in December, as he looks to lead the Boys in Green back to a first tournament since 2016.
Kosovo, like the Irish, fell in the World Cup play-offs in the spring as a first major tournament appearance eluded them.
Team news
The Boys in Green are without skipper Nathan Collins, Evan Ferguson, Josh Cullen and Jack Taylor, while Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady are ruled out because they don't currently have a club.
Oisin McEntee, Jamie McGrath and Harvey Vale were named in the original 26-man squad but pulled out following club games at the weekend, with St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips a late addition.
Hibernian forward Owen Elding is part of the Irish senior squad for the first time.
Kosovo will be without their captain and one of their best players, Amir Rrahmani, as the Napoli defender has decided to retire from international football after a public fallout with the Football Federation of Kosovo.
Bayern Munich youngster Erblin Osmani has received his first call-up after much fanfare around his decision to declare for Kosovo.
The latest Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
This is the first meeting between Kosovo, ranked 78th in the world by FIFA, and the Republic of Ireland, currently ranked 55th.
Kosovo have lost just two of their last nine internationals, beating Sweden home and away in World Cup qualifying.
Republic of Ireland have not lost any of their last eight games in normal time, including wins over Portugal and Hungary in World Cup qualifying.
The Republic of Ireland have scored in eight of their last nine competitive internationals.
Before the loss to Turkey in March that denied them a World Cup spot, Kosovo had scored in five of six outings during qualifying.
Troy Parrott has scored six goals in his last three competitive games for Ireland.
The latest Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Defeat has become a rarity for both Kosovo and the Republic of Ireland, with just two losses in 90 minutes across the previous 17 games they have contested.
They appear well matched on paper, with Kosovo enjoying an excellent World Cup qualifying campaign last year despite ultimately failing to reach North America.
The Irish recovered from a poor start as Hallgrimsson and his side recorded standout wins against Portugal in Dublin and Hungary in Budapest to take their play-off place before a penalty shootout loss in Czechia.
Parrott has six goals in his last three competitive games for Ireland and is flourishing at Real Betis with winners against Real Madrid and Lille this month, and can find the net again.
So can Juventus winger Edon Zhegrova, who has two goals and an assist in his last two outings for the Turin side, by scoring here in what could prove an entertaining share of the spoils.
Score prediction: Kosovo 2-2 Republic of Ireland
