Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Serbia will aim to bounce back from a heavy defeat and regain momentum in Group K when they host Albania at the Dubocica Stadium in Leskovac on Saturday evening, as the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume. The home side sit third in the group on seven points after four matches, while their visitors are a single point ahead in second, albeit having played one game more.
Serbia
Dragan Stojkovic’s men will be eager to erase the memory of their 5-0 loss to England last month — a result that halted their early progress and exposed the defensive frailties that had previously gone unpunished. Before that, Serbia had taken seven points from three outings, beating Andorra and Latvia and sharing the spoils with Albania in a goalless draw back in June.
That draw in Tirana had hinted at Serbia’s attacking inconsistency, but the Eagles were clinical in their other early fixtures and still have reason to believe they can finish in the top two. Stojkovic’s side have featured in three of the last four World Cups, though each ended in a group-stage exit, including the 2022 edition in Qatar. The coach, now under growing pressure after another early elimination at Euro 2024, will demand a convincing response from his squad in front of a passionate home crowd.
Historically, there has been little to separate the two Balkan rivals. In three previous competitive meetings, each has claimed one win, with one draw between them. Serbia’s sole victory came back in October 2015 during Euro 2016 qualifying, when they ran out 2-0 winners in a tense affair in Elbasan.
Team News
Serbia will have to make do without two key figures due to suspensions. Centre-back Nikola Milenkovic was dismissed in the defeat to England, while midfielder Sasa Lukic picked up his third yellow card of the campaign and must also serve a one-match ban.
Those absences are likely to bring Milos Veljkovic into the defensive line, with Nemanja Gudelj expected to step into midfield to provide balance and experience. In attack, Dusan Vlahovic should retain his starting spot despite enduring a difficult night at Wembley, while Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Filip Kostic all look set to feature as Serbia seek a much-improved display.
Albania
Albania arrive in Leskovac full of confidence following a narrow but deserved 1-0 victory over Latvia in September, courtesy of a first-half penalty converted by Kristjan Asllani. That result lifted Sylvinho’s men into second place, keeping alive their dream of a first-ever World Cup appearance.
The Red and Blacks have been remarkably organized under the Brazilian coach, conceding just three goals across five qualifiers. However, their attacking record remains modest, with only five goals scored so far — a statistic that highlights both their discipline and limitations in the final third.
Having featured in two of the last three European Championships, including a commendable but short-lived appearance at Euro 2024, Albania are determined to reach new heights on the world stage. Their path remains difficult, but the blend of young technical players and seasoned professionals gives them a fighting chance in Group K.
Team News
Sylvinho is expected to keep faith with the lineup that defeated Latvia. Rey Manaj, Albania’s top scorer with ten international goals, will once again lead the attack, supported by Qazim Laci and Kristjan Asllani in midfield.
Armando Broja, despite a slow start to life at Burnley this season, should also retain his place up front as Albania look for more cutting edge in transition. Meanwhile, the defensive trio anchored by Berat Djimsiti continues to form the foundation of a side built on resilience and structure.
Conclusion
Saturday’s clash in Leskovac promises to be a fiercely contested encounter between two sides separated by fine margins in both quality and ambition.
Serbia will look to reassert themselves after their humbling defeat to England, relying on home advantage and attacking depth to get back on track. Albania, compact and disciplined under Sylvinho, will aim to frustrate and counter, just as they did in June’s reverse fixture.
However, with the stakes rising and Serbia’s experience likely to tell, the hosts may edge a tight contest — potentially reigniting their push for qualification as the group enters a decisive phase.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
