Albania vs Finland prediction 12.11.2026 | UEFA Nations League

Albania resume their Nations League campaign after a narrow 2:1 victory against Group C underdogs San Marino in Tirana last month.

Kristjan Asllani opened the scoring after 11 minutes, but Lorenzo Lazzari bagged a shock equaliser midway through the second half. Asllani converted a stoppage-time penalty to spare the Albanian’s blushes. 

That result followed a 2:1 defeat away to Finland three days earlier. The Red and Blacks began the group with a 2:0 victory against Belarus at home and a convincing 3:0 win away to San Marino in September.

Rolando Maran's men come into this fixture sitting at the top of Group C1 with nine points from four matches, recording three wins and one defeat. 

Albania have won both home matches so far and while unimpressive in their win against San Marino, have built up a solid recent record in Tirana. 

Maran has omitted several big names from his squad. Thomas Strakosha, Marash Kumbulla, Anis Mehmeti and Armando Broja all miss out. 

Dinamo defender Ysni Ismaili has received his first call-up, while Rey Manaj, Myrto Uzuni and Mirlind Daku are expected to feature.

Finland visit Albania hoping to respond to a disappointing 1:0 defeat away to Belarus in the Nations League on 6 October.

Jacob Friis's side struggled to create clear opportunities and failed to score for the second time in four group matches.

That setback came three days after a hard-fought 2:1 home victory over ten-man Albania. Leo Walta scored two free-kicks to overturn Rey Manaj's early opener after the visitors had been reduced to ten men.

Finland previously drew 0:0 with Belarus at home having opened their campaign with a commanding 7:0 victory away to San Marino.

The visitors now find themselves third in Group C1 with seven points from four games.

Seven of Finland's nine goals scored in the section came against San Marino, and the Finns have found the net only twice across their other three Nations League matches.

Head coach Friis has recalled Oliver Antman, Naatan Skytta, Fredrik Jensen and Robert Ivanov for November's international fixtures. 

Luka Hyrylainen could earn his first cap this week, while Lukas Hradecky, Leo Walta and Joel Pohjanpalo are also included.