Malta vs Luxembourg – News and Probable Lineups

Malta will take on Luxemburgo at Ta’Qali National Stadium on Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff match.

The home side aims to achieve promotion to League C, while the visitors seek to avoid dropping to League D.

Match overview

Malta has been in League D of the UEFA Nations League since the 2018-19 season, but now they have an opportunity to move up to League C.

After placing fourth in League D Group Three in 2018-19 and achieving second place consecutively in 2020-21 and 2022-23, Malta’s second-place finish in League D Group Two in the 2024-25 season has secured them a spot in the playoff.

Malta began the 2024-25 tournament with a disappointing loss to Moldávia, but with two victories and one draw in their following four matches, they climbed to second place in the standings.

Consequently, Malta will face Luxemburgo in the playoff, vying for a chance to ascend to League C.

Since that successful Nations League group season, Malta has faced difficulties, winning only one of their last 11 matches following the final draw against Andorra.

On the other hand, Luxemburgo has also been facing challenges coming into this fixture, as Jeff Strasser’s squad has not won in their last nine matches across all competitions.

Particularly, Luxemburgo had a dreadful World Cup qualifying campaign, failing to win any of their six matches in Group A, ending up at the bottom of the table, which has left them in poor form ahead of this encounter.

Luxemburgo’s Nations League campaign in 2024-25 was similarly disappointing, finishing at the bottom of League C Group Three with just three draws and three losses from six matches.

As a result, Luxemburgo will now strive to avoid being relegated back to League D for the first time since achieving promotion to League C with a second-place finish in the 2018-19 season.

Team News

Malta will miss forward Joseph Mbong for Thursday’s initial leg due to a suspension.

Several players have rejoined the national team after being absent previously, including Jake Azzopardi, Andrea Zammit, Keyon Ewurum, James Sissons, and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.

Luxemburgo will continue to be without their all-time top scorer Gerson Rodrigues due to ongoing disciplinary issues.

In his absence, a forward line consisting of Danel Sinani, Aiman Dardari, Christopher Martins Pereira, and Sebastien Thill is expected to start.

Malta probable starting XI:

Bonello; Muscat, Shaw, Mentz, Borg; Guillaumier, Satariano; Ewurum, Teuma, Chouaref; Cardona

Luxemburgo probable starting XI:

Life; Bohnert, Korac, Carlson, Jans; Olesen, Barreiro; Thill, Pereira, Dardari; Sinani

Both sides are entering this match with challenging form, and given their desire to stay competitive ahead of the second leg, a tightly contested draw is anticipated.