Group B is one of those without any “big names,” i.e., without any teams of particular renown. As a result, the battle for first place is very fierce: Bosnia is currently leading the pack, three points ahead of Austria and Romania. However, the three teams have not played the same number of games: the Balkan team has played three – two more than Austria and one less than Romania – winning all three, including a very important victory over Romania (0-1) thanks to a goal by Gigovic.
Sergej Barbarez’s men have not slipped up against the more beatable teams either: although narrowly, they beat both Cyprus (2-1) and San Marino (1-0). They will face the latter in this window, a few days before the eagerly awaited clash with Austria. In short, any missteps are not allowed, considering that going into the match with the Austrians three points ahead in the standings would be important from a morale and confidence standpoint.
Barbarez, meanwhile, will have to do without several players in the next two games: the injured Ahmedhodzic, Kolasinac, and Malic. Compared to the June call-ups, Kulasin, Saric, Bicakcic, and Huseinbasic are also missing. On the other hand, the national team’s stalwarts are still there: from 39-year-old Dzeko—this year at Fiorentina—to Demirovic, Muharemovic, and Tahirovic. San Marino is facing yet another defeat: the goal, as usual, is to try to limit the damage, perhaps managing to score a goal as happened last March in the match against Romania, which ended 5-1.
Odds comparison
The “Over 2.5” bet is quoted at 1.30 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.27 on Snai.
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The prediction
Bosnia will take advantage of the opportunity to remain unbeaten in a group in which it has been the protagonist so far. We expect a clearer victory against San Marino than in the first leg: this time the margin will be at least two goals.
Probable lineups for San Marino vs. Bosnia
SAN MARINO (4-5-1): Colombo; G. Benvenuti, Cevoli, T. Benvenuti, Riccardi; Contadini, Golinucci, Capicchioni, Zannoni, Lazzari; Nanni.
BOSNIA (4-2-3-1): Vasilj; Dedic, Muharemovic, Barisic, Burnic; Tahirovic, Sunjic; Hajradinovic, Gigovic, Memic; Dzeko.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-3