{"id":3458,"date":"2026-03-24T15:30:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/lu\/3458\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T15:30:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:30:04","slug":"preview-malta-vs-luxembourg-prediction-team-news-lineups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/lu\/3458\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Malta vs Luxembourg – prediction, team news, lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"

Malta<\/a> will host Luxembourg<\/a> at Ta’Qali National Stadium on Thursday for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League promotion\/relegation playoff tie.<\/p>\n

The hosts are battling to secure promotion to League C, while the visitors are fighting to avoid relegation to League D.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Match preview<\/p>\n

Malta have been stuck in League D of the UEFA Nations League since 2018-19, but they now have the chance to climb into League C.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After finishing fourth in League D Group Three in 2018-19, followed by back-to-back second-placed finishes in 2020-21 and 2022-23, Malta’s second-placed finish in League D Group Two in 2024-25 has earned them a place in the playoff.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Malta started the 2024-25 competition with a disappointing defeat to Moldova, but with two wins and one draw in their next four games, they climbed to second in the standings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As a result, Malta will compete against Luxembourg in the promotion\/relegation playoff for the chance to climb into League C.<\/p>\n

Malta have struggled since that successful Nations League group campaign, winning just one of their 11 matches since the final-day draw with Andorra.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago<\/p>\n

Their opponents, Luxembourg, have similarly endured a difficult period coming into this game, with Jeff Strasser’s side winless in their last nine matches across all competitions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most notably, Luxembourg suffered a miserable World Cup qualifying campaign, losing all of their six matches in Group A as they finished rock bottom of the standings, leaving them in disastrous form coming into this clash.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Luxembourg had a similarly disappointing Nations League campaign in 2024-25, finishing bottom of League C Group Three after recording only three draws and three defeats from six games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Consequently, Luxembourg will now fight to avoid relegation back to League D for the first time since earning promotion to League C with a second-placed finish in 2018-19.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Malta form (all competitions):<\/p>\n

D W L L W L<\/p>\n

Luxembourg form (all competitions):<\/p>\n

L L L L L L<\/p>\n

Team News<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ Goal Sports Images<\/p>\n

Malta will be without forward Joseph Mbong<\/a> for Thursday’s first-leg encounter due to a suspension.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Several players have returned to the national team after missing out previously, including Jake Azzopardi<\/a>, Andrea Zammit, Keyon Ewurum, James Sissons and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Luxembourg will remain without their all-time top scorer Gerson Rodrigues<\/a> due to continued disciplinary action.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In his continued absence, a frontline of Danel Sinani<\/a>, Aiman Dardari, Christopher Martins Pereira and Sebastien Thill could start.<\/p>\n

Malta possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Bonello; Muscat, Shaw, Mentz, Borg; Guillaumier, Satariano; Ewurum, Teuma, Chouaref; Cardona<\/p>\n

Luxembourg possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Moris; Bohnert, Korac, Carlson, Jans; Olesen, Barreiro; Thill, Pereira, Dardari; Sinani<\/p>\n

We say: Malta 1-1 Luxembourg<\/p>\n


\n\u00a0
\n \n<\/p>\n

Both teams are in difficult form heading into this game, and with both eager to ensure they remain in the tie ahead of the second leg, we expect a hard-fought draw.<\/p>\n

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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