Of all of the groups through the 2016 EURO qualifiers, Group I has become the interesting. Not necessarily due to the teams whorrrre in it, but merely because it is the actual one. Whilst Groups A through H all have six sides, Group I is in reality a quintet, As France has now automatically qualified, 5 teams in this group - Albania, Armenia, Denmark, Portugal, and Serbia - all play fewer competitive matches together with two friendlies contrary to the EURO 2016 hosts.
Albania vs Portugal live stream Euro qualifying 2015
With Serbia and Armenia already eliminated, the superior spot in Group I will likely be contested between Denmark, Portugal, and surprise packages Albania, with just some part dividing Denmark and Albania from currently top-placed Portugal.
Albania
Every qualifying round always creates a team that seems to surprise most, and also this time, Albania can actually stake their claim. The Shqiponjat (the Eagles) haven't qualified for just a major tournament and so are potentially about the cusp of developing history once they manage to secure their spot at next year's EURO competition. Yet, they've already proven to this point that they are definitely not to be taken lightly, and despite not featuring yet within the bigger stage, Albania has nonetheless recently enjoyed a world presence a result of the inclusion of countless players - both by birth and heritage - in many of Europe's major teams.
Switzerland especially has a number of players of Albanian background within their set-up, with players like Xherdan Shaqiri, Valon Behrami, Blerim Džemaili, and Granit Xhaka all featuring at long last summer's World Cup. Led by Italian tactician Gianni De Biasi, Albania still haven't lose a match thus far in qualifying and therefore are the only side in Group I having an unbeaten record. They began their EURO 2016 qualifying campaign by shocking Portugal which has a 1-0 win at their opponents' home ground from a goal from Bekim Balaj.
It was initially in six meetings that Albania might defeat Portugal, and from now on as hosts on the Elbasan Arena they may hope to complete what would be a remarkable double win. So far, they've got won one and drawn one at their temporary home base and been able to hold France to your 1-1 draw recently before beating Les Bleus the 2009 June. However, except for their 2-1 win against Armenia, Albania are yet gain more than one goal of their matches and will also be hoping to do on Monday evening should they would like to potentially surpass Denmark - who'll be playing Armenia - on goal difference.
Portugal
Meanwhile, Portugal would like to make amends following their poor showing now summer's World Cup. With the exception of their opening 1-0 loss to Armenia, Fernando Santos's side are already pretty solid - albeit definitely not spectacular - into their qualifying campaign up to now. Still, three points are three points, no matter it is a 5-0 blow-out or even a gritty 1-0 win and Monday's visitors will probably be certainly keen to generate sure that Albania will not complete a double over them as they would choose to make sure they remain the top of the table.
Portugal are going to be bitterly disappointed using the result from their last match against France, which finished to be a 1-0 win for that EURO 2016 hosts from a brilliant free-kick from Mathieu Valbuena, who netted the game-winner just 5 minutes after coming on being a 80th minute substitute. Despite fielding a powerful line-up, Santos, certainly remembering that it was only a friendly, thought we would not use some of his key players for that full 90 minutes to make sure they're fresh for his or her crunch clash with Albania springing up in a few days.
Regardless from the hosts' good home record until now, Portugal boast a much more impressive one for the road. They have not only won their last five qualifiers but additionally are unbeaten inside their last six matches out and about. Certainly, Albania obviously are aware that Cristiano Ronaldo will represent Portugal's main threat, and definately will do everything in order to avoid the Ballon d'Or winner from contributing to his goal tally; however, as to whether they'll be successful will probably be seen this Monday.
Will Portugal make contact with winning ways which has a crucial win for the road? Or will Albania take a step closer to making history?
Expect Albanian and Portuguese fans - and doubtless those who avidly follow Real Madrid at the same time - for being tuned into the crunch clash this Monday, September 7th. And as usual, if this sounds like the match for you personally that you absolutely cannot miss, donrrrt worry. We have every body covered at betrik.net. Simply make certain you bookmark our special Albania vs. Portugal page for certain times and viewing choices for wherever you call home.
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