Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Two camps who will turn their attention back World Cup qualifying duties on Thursday night, Poland will welcome Albania to Warsaw.

Poland

Starting with the hosts, while Poland might have eventually been forced to settle for a silver medal finish in Group G behind European giants Holland, Jan Urban’s camp should take plenty of positives away from a gritty qualifying adventure. Signing off 2025 with an action-packed 3-2 victory away at Malta, the Eagles return to Warsaw on Thursday night pencilled in as a standout contender. Only suffering a single competitive defeat since back in November 2024, the one-time Osasuna boss has seen his squad gain a reputation for their rugged success on home soil. Snatching a gritty 1-1 stalemate off the Dutch four months ago, Poland are unbeaten in their last six showdowns in front of their own supporters (five wins, one draw).

Poland Team News

Notching 11 La Liga strikes for reigning Spanish champions Barcelona this season, talismanic skipper Robert Lewandowski will lead Poland out on Thursday night and earn a 168th international cap.

Recently returning from a minor muscle issue, Aston Villa star Matty Cash has been included in Urban’s squad. Completing a season-long switch to Portuguese giants Porto last summer, Arsenal loanee Jakub Kiwior should start at the back.

Albania

As for the visitors, while Albania might travel over to Poland on Thursday night pencilled in as a real underdog contender, Sylvinho’s camp did gain a string of plaudits during their World Cup qualifying adventure. Despite signing off their Group K campaign with a 2-0 loss at home against European giants England, the Reds have won each of their other five appearances across all competitions and they should find the mood in their camp at a continued high. Landing a shock 2-0 win when they last met Poland back in September 2023, Albania will also be excited by their extended success on foreign soil. Last seen on their travels clinching a 1-0 win against Andorra, Thursday’s guests have won all of their previous three away fixtures by a 1-0 scoreline.

Albania Team News

While Armando Borja might have only just returned from yet another injury setback, the Burnley striker has been included in Albania’s squad. Despite making just a single Serie A appearance so far this calendar year, Lazio’s Elseid Hysaj will lead out Sylvinho’s side and earn a 97th international cap.

Former Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha will start between the sticks on Thursday night. Completing a January loan switch to Turkish outfit Besiktas, Inter Milan’s Kristjan Asllani will start in the middle of the park.

Poland vs Albania Key Factors to Consider

• When Poland and Albania last met back in September 2023, Thursday’s guests collected a 2-0 victory on home soil.
• However, Poland have won each of their last five straight home meetings against Albania by an aggregate score of 8-1.
• Poland are unbeaten in their last six showdowns in front of their own supporters (five wins, one draw).
• Albania have won each of their last three straight showdowns on foreign soil by a 1-0 scoreline.
• Five of the last six meetings between Poland and Albania have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Poland might open Thursday’s showdown pencilled in as a standout contender to extend on their qualifying adventure, Albania are more than capable of causing some real headaches. Hit with a 2-0 loss when they last met their midweek guests back in September 2023, we could be set for a nail-biting showdown from Warsaw. With Thursday’s opponents seeing five of their previous six meetings across all competitions finish with under 2.5 goals, chances could come at a premium here.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet