Albania hopes to keep Group G lead as they play against Spain in rainy Shkodra tonight

The ‘Loro Boriçi’ Stadium of northern Albanian city of Shkodra is getting full of fans from all over the region awaiting the FIFA Group G qualifier between Albania (home team) and former world champions Spain in what is expected to be a ‘wet’ night.  This is the third match for both teams in a group which consists of Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, Macedonia, and Liechtenstein.

Albania are top of the Group G with 6 points after two wins against Macedonia and Liechtenstein while Spain are second with 4 points after a win against Liechtenstein and a draw against Italy. Albania hopes to get at least a draw tonight in order to maintain their lead in the group while Spain will play tough to win and jump at the top of the Russia 2018 Group G qualifiers.

Just like the match between Albania and Macedonia, the rain hasn’t stopped in Shkodra, raising fears about the performance of the players.

Albanian coach Gianni de Biasi is expected to bring big names back to the Albanian team tonight, with Taulant Xhaka, brother of Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, as well as Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj joining the team tonight against Spain.

Betting agencies are naturally favoring Spain but with Albania who impressed most fans during its Euro 2016 performance, this is not going to be easy for Spain.

Earlier this week, Spain’s manager Julen Lopetegui said that ‘Albania has a strong team which has grown immensely these last years in Europe. We are not scared of our adversaries but we respect them professionally, a respect which Albania’s competitive team has won year after year’.

Albania receives Spain tonight at 20:45 at the ‘Loro BORICI’ stadium of Shkodra, the same stadium where the match against Macedonia had to be postponed due to heavy rain.

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