Georgia - Luxembourg predictions and free betting tips [21/03/2024]

On Thursday, 21 March, as part of the Euro 2024 qualification semi-finals, the Georgia national team will encounter the national team of Luxembourg. The following Tuesday, the victor of this face-off awaits a duel with either Greece or Kazakhstan, and for both teams, making it to the tournament would be a monumental success.

Predicted lineups

Georgia: Mamardashvili; Kakabadze, Kashiya, Kvirikvelia, Lochoshvili, Gocholadze; Kvekveskiri, Kankava; Chakvetadze; Mikautadze, Kvilitaia.

Luxembourg: Moris; Korac, Chanot, M. Martins; Jans, K. Martins, Barreiro, Pinto; S. Till; Borges Sanchez, Rodrigues.

Stadium

The match will take place in Tbilisi at the Dinamo-Arena.

Georgia

Despite landing at 4th place in the group of death in the qualifying tournament (together with Spain, Scotland, and Norway), Georgia earned the right to compete in the qualification playoffs thanks to a successful performance in the previous Nations League: garnering 16 out of a possible 18 points. It's important to mention that the hosts were close to making it to the continental championship in 2021. Under the guidance of Willy Sagnol, the "crusaders" triumphed over Belarus 1:0 in the playoff semi-finals, and took on North Macedonia in the decider, where Goran Pandev's goal proved decisive. Nonetheless, the hosts have only suffered one defeat in 11 home matches across all tournaments (when they were beaten by Spain), and in the last three matches, they scored an incredible 14 goals (against Thailand, Scotland, and Cyprus).

Georgia's French coach Willy Sagnol can count on a few players who perform in the top European leagues. Among them, the young main goalkeeper of "Valencia" Mamardashvili (14 matches) and the "Bordeaux" midfielder Davitashvili (32 matches, 6 goals). The ageing but experienced captain Kashiya (36 years, 110 matches) and midfielder Kankava (37 years, 100 matches, 10 goals) are also present in the squad. And finally, in attack, the hosts have the star performer, Hvicha Kvaratskhelia from "Napoli" (28 matches, 15 goals), who, however, is certainly out of playing on Thursday due to suspension. In his absence, the attack will be led by Jorji Mikautadze, who has netted eight goals in 12 League 1 matches - five of his own and three assists - since returning to "Metz" on loan from "Ajax" in January.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg secured its path to the playoffs of the qualification by finishing 3rd in the group after Portugal and Slovakia, but ahead of Iceland, Bosnia, and Liechtenstein, thanks to two recent victories over the Balkan team (4:1) and Liechtenstein. The Portuguese tricolour was twice decimated - 0:6 in the first match and 9:0 in the second. However, for Luke Holtz's proteges, these thrashings no longer matter: the "red lions" advanced to the playoffs due to a successful run in League C of the Nations League, and the 17 points gained in the qualifying tournament were their highest ever. The guests, currently ranked 85th in the FIFA ranking, head to Tbilisi having only lost one of the last eight away matches in all competitions.

Luxembourg, as expected, has never made it to the World or European Championship, so there's no shortage of motivation for the players. The tricolor squad features several players who play for German clubs in the lower divisions. Among them is defender and captain Jans, who plays for "Mannheim" (third league), and forward Sinani (12 goals), who plays for "St. Pauli" (2. Bundesliga). Notably, the first reached the milestone of 100 matches played for their national team in a duel against Liechtenstein three months ago. Three more games, and the defender will become the most decorated player of Luxembourg of all time. Key players who are available to the coaching staff include Lars Gerson (34 years), who currently plays in Norway, and the well-known Gerson Rodrigues (59 matches, 20 goals), who sparks creativity in the attack.

Head-to-head 

In their previous encounter, the "red lions" claimed a 1:0 victory in a 2018 friendly thanks to a goal by Aurelien Joachim. Prior to that, the "crusaders" won twice and drew one match.

Match prediction for Georgia - Luxembourg

Both teams made it into the playoffs of the Euro qualification thanks to their successful performance in the Nations League and neither has ever competed in continental championships before. However, the hosts, apart from having the support of the home crowd, possess a somewhat more quality squad and have been playing well on their turf in recent years. I believe that class will prevail, and the "crusaders" will advance to the next round.