Preview

Preview: Malta vs Gibraltar – September 6, 2023

In a crucial prelude to their continued Euro 2024 qualifying journey, Malta and Gibraltar are gearing up for a face-off in an international friendly. This pivotal match is scheduled to take place at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium on September 6, 2023, at 7pm UK time. As both teams look to recover from their struggling campaigns, this face-off serves as a golden opportunity to salvage pride and build momentum.

Analysis

As the clock ticks down to the September 6th showdown at 7pm UK time, both Malta and Gibraltar find themselves at a critical juncture in their footballing journeys. This international friendly doesn’t just promise to be a spirited contest but also a chance for both teams to reassess and rebuild after a lacklustre start to their Euro 2024 qualification campaigns.

The Maltese side, situated at the 171st spot in the FIFA rankings, holds a discernible advantage when compared to the 198th ranked Gibraltar team. Despite their superior ranking, Malta hasn’t had a smooth journey thus far, with recent defeats including a significant 4-0 loss to England. However, their performance against Ukraine where they managed to restrict their opponents till the 72nd minute, shows signs of resilience and tactical maturity. A significant boost for Malta has been the performance of Kyrian Nwoko, who has been instrumental in their recent outings, showcasing notable scoring prowess.

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Gibraltar, despite their lower ranking, cannot be underestimated. Under the stewardship of Julio Ribas, the team is looking to bounce back and build some momentum. The presence of Liam Walker, the country’s most-capped player, in the midfield offers a wealth of experience and a strategic advantage. Despite suffering four consecutive 3-0 defeats, Gibraltar showed signs of promise, notably managing to keep Ireland at bay in the first half of their last game.

Historically, the encounters between these two teams have been evenly matched, with each team boasting one victory apiece. While Gibraltar aims to emulate their 2014 triumph, Malta will be keen to recreate their dominant 2-0 victory witnessed in 2020, fostering an intriguing subplot to this upcoming encounter.

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Prediction

Based on the recent form and the lineup choices for the friendly, Malta seems to have a slight edge over Gibraltar. Gibraltar’s defence, which has been leaky of late, could be exploited by the Maltese forwards, who would be keen to capitalize on any given opportunity.

Therefore, Goal.mu predicts: Malta 2-1 Gibraltar. This prediction leans heavily on Malta’s slightly superior form and the vulnerability shown by Gibraltar’s defence in recent games. The home advantage might act as a catalyst, propelling Malta to a victory that could potentially be a morale booster for the remainder of their campaign.

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