Romania will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in Group I of Euro 2024 qualifying when they welcome Israel to the National Arena in Bucharest on Saturday night.

The visitors, meanwhile, are seeking to claim their third successive victory in qualifying and climb into the top two of the group.

Match preview

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After failing to qualify for Euro 2020, Romania have put themselves in a strong position to reach the 2024 edition in Germany as they have picked up eight points in their opening four matches.

Victories over Andorra and Belarus in March were followed by draws against Kosovo and Switzerland in June, with a dramatic late brace from Valentin Mihaila – including a 92nd-minute equaliser – rescuing a point in a 2-2 draw away against the latter.

Manager Edward Iordanescu has encouraged his players to approach their upcoming fixtures with "maximum determination and focus" as they endeavour to maintain their position in the top two of Group I.

Romania, who are ranked 48th in the world by FIFA, have put together a five-game unbeaten run and have only lost two of their last 10 internationals across all competitions, although both of those were suffered on home soil – losing 3-0 to Montenegro in June last year and 2-1 against Slovenia five months later.

Not since 2018 have the Tricolour amassed a six-game unbeaten run, while they have come away from their previous two meetings with Israel undefeated, with a 2-1 away win in March 2018 followed by a 2-2 draw in March 2022.

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After picking up just one point from their opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers, Israel have since climbed up the Group I standing courtesy of back-to-back 2-1 wins against Belarus and Andorra in June.

Despite dominating proceedings against Andorra with 80% possession, Israel only had nine shots on goal in the entire match, but Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon ensured that all three points were secured when he made the net ripple just after the hour mark.

The Blue and Whites, who are ranked 76th in the world by FIFA, have never qualified for the European Championships before, but they remain in contention to secure a top-two finish in Group I as they currently sit in third place with seven points from four games, just one point behind Saturday's opponents Romania in second and three behind leaders Switzerland.

With favourable-looking fixtures against Belarus, Kosovo and Andorra still to come, victory over Romania would provide Alon Hazan's side with plenty of confidence of qualifying for their first major tournament since the 1970 World Cup.

However, their away form leaves a little to be desired as they head into Saturday's game having won only two of their last nine internationals in all competitions.

Team News

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Romania will have to cope without goalkeeper Ionut Radu, defender Vlad Chiriches and midfielder Dennis Man as they all continue to recover from injury.

Horatiu Moldovan is expected to continue in goal in the absence of Radu, but Iordanescu could revert to a back four against Israel, with Radu Dragusin and Andrei Burca linking arms at centre-back in between full-backs Cristian Manea and Mario Camora.

Vladimir Screciu made his international debut last time out and he could keep his place in centre-midfield, starting alongside Razvan Marin and captain Nicolae Stanciu – who plies his trade at club level with Chinese side Wuhan Three Towns – while George Puscas could be recalled to start with Ianis Hagi and Florinel Coman in the front three.

As for Israel, Doron Leidner has not been called up as he continues to recover from a cruciate ligament injury, so Roy Revivo – who earned his first international cap in the last match – will battle with Ofir Davidzada for a start at left-back.

Omri Glazer should fend off competition from Bayern Munich's new recruit Daniel Peretz to retain the number one jersey, while midfield duo Dor Peretz and Mohammed Abu Fani will be hoping to force their way back into the first XI at the expense of Neta Lavi and Gavriel Kanichowsky.

Solomon and Celtic's Liel Abada are expected to provide width on the flanks and support in attack for either Shon Weissman or Tai Baribo as the central striker.

Romania possible starting lineup:
Moldovan; Manea, Dragusin, Burca, Camora; Screciu, R. Marin, Stanciu; Hagi, Puscas, Coman

Israel possible starting lineup:
Glazer; Dasa, Goldberg, Shlomo, Revivo; Safouri, Peretz, Abu Fani; Solomon, Weissman, Abada

We say: Romania 2-1 Israel

An entertaining encounter could be in store on Saturday considering that Romania have scored in eight of their last 10 internationals and Israel have netted in 11 of their last 12 matches.

There is little to separate these two nations, but we believe that Romania will just edge this contest on home soil to consolidate their place in the top two of Group I.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Oliver Thomas

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