Malta is set to face San Marino in an international friendly on Tuesday, September 9, at 21:00 Central European Time. Here’s a look at what to expect from the match.
Match Preview
Malta aims to deliver a strong and organized performance. With San Marino as their opponent, Malta has a real chance to secure their first win of 2025.
Historically, Malta has focused on defense, but they might use this friendly to try out new attacking strategies and give younger players more time on the field. The goal is to enhance finishing skills and strengthen teamwork.
Playing at home, with support from local fans, gives Malta an advantage. They will aim to control the pace of the game and build pressure, drawing from their experience against similar teams.
In their previous World Cup qualifying match, Malta lost a lead in Lithuania, conceding a last-minute penalty. Currently, they sit at the bottom of their qualifying group after five games.
San Marino, known as underdogs in international football, will focus on defense and minimizing risks. Their primary aim is to keep a clean sheet while looking for counter-attack opportunities.
Discipline and teamwork in defense are key for San Marino as they attempt to neutralize any significant threats from Malta. Offensively, they will look to capitalize on set pieces and quick plays, hoping to take advantage of any mistakes from the opposition.
In their history of matches, San Marino has often found themselves trailing. However, friendlies give them a chance to try new tactics. In past encounters with similar-level teams, they have attempted to adopt different styles of play, especially noted during the UEFA Nations League D division.
Regarding their official matches, San Marino has not had much success, losing all five of their World Cup qualifiers, including a recent 6-0 defeat against Bosnia.
Match Facts
- Malta has scored only once in their last six matches.
- The team has lost just one of their last seven home games.
- San Marino has lost five consecutive matches, with a total score of 1:18.
- They have also lost 13 out of their last 14 away games.
- Malta averages 0.5 goals per home game, while San Marino averages 0.4 goals per away game.
Probable Line-ups
- Malta: Bonello, Muscat, Shaw, Pepe, Birmann, Satariano, Paiber, Mbong, Chouaref, Mbong, Cardona.
- San Marino: Colombo, Fabbri, Cevoli, Valentini, Riccardi, Capicchioni, Zannoni, Mularoni, Berardi, Contadini, Nanni.
H2H
The two teams have faced each other three times, with Malta winning all three encounters.
Prediction
Malta is expected to control the game and create scoring opportunities, whereas San Marino will focus on their defense and counter-attacks. While San Marino will put up a fight, Malta is the favorite to win this match.
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