Israel vs Kosovo Prediction & Preview - Nations League
Israel have conceded six goals and scored just one in their last two UEFA Nations League matches, and that collapse is the single most alarming number either side brings into Thursday's game. Israel face Kosovo in UEFA Nations League League B, Group 3, on Thursday, 1 October 2026, kicking off at 19:45 BST at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, where Israel have been playing their home matches throughout this campaign.
- Fixture: Israel v Kosovo
- Competition: UEFA Nations League, League B, Group 3
- Date: Thursday, 1 October 2026
- Kick-off: 19:45 BST
- Venue: Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen, Hungary
Israel's defence has nothing to show from September
Ran Ben Shimon's side lost 3-1 away to Austria on 24 September, then followed it up three days later with a 3-0 home defeat to Ireland. Two games, six goals conceded, one scored. Neither result came against a side outside their own group, so there's no excuse to find in the standard of opposition. A team that has shipped three in back-to-back matches arrives at this one needing its defence to hold, not just its attack to fire.
Austria beat both sides by the same scoreline
Here's where the number gets tested. Austria didn't just beat Israel 3-1 on 24 September - three days later they beat Kosovo 3-1 too. The same opponent, the same scoreline, against both teams in this fixture within the same international window. Kosovo's response to that defeat was to have already banked a 1-0 win over Ireland earlier in the window, while Israel's response to their own Austria defeat was to lose again, 0-3, to the same Ireland side. Judged against a common opponent, Kosovo's September reads better than Israel's.
Kosovo still lean on Vedat Muriqi
Muriqi remains Kosovo's captain and focal point, with 19 Nations League goal involvements for the country to his name. That reliance has been tested elsewhere this year - a 2-1 loss to Czechia in May and a wild 4-3 defeat away to Slovakia in March showed Kosovo can be got at defensively too - but a 3-0 win over Andorra in June and that narrow victory over Ireland in September point to a side capable of seeing games out when it matters. Franco Foda's Kosovo have scored in every one of the results in this run.
Team news: who is missing for Israel and Kosovo?
Israel's main team news is a recall rather than an injury: Sayed Abu Farchi is available again after serving a one-match ban against Ireland and is in contention to start up front, with Tai Baribo the alternative. Oscar Gloukh and captain Dor Peretz are expected to play behind the striker. For Kosovo, defender Amir Rrahmani has retired from international football following a dispute with the federation, removing an experienced centre-back from Foda's options. Albian Hajdari is an injury doubt, and goalkeeper Arijanet Muric was withdrawn during Sunday's loss to Austria, with Amir Saipi on standby to deputise if needed.
Where is Israel vs Kosovo being played?
Israel vs Kosovo is being played at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, rather than in Israel, continuing the arrangement Israel have used for their home fixtures through this Nations League campaign. Full details for the match, including live predictions from other players, are on the Israel vs Kosovo match page.
Israel vs Kosovo prediction
Kosovo should edge a tight UEFA Nations League meeting with Israel on Thursday, with Vedat Muriqi's threat in front of goal mattering more than Israel's attacking changes. Israel's defence has conceded six in two games and has yet to show it can fix that in a single team talk, while Kosovo have found a goal in every result covered here. Expect Israel to score through Abu Farchi or Baribo, but not enough to stop Kosovo taking the points.
Our prediction: Israel 1-2 Kosovo
Make your prediction
You don't need to take our word for it. Head to the Israel vs Kosovo match page and make your own call on the scoreline before kick-off, as part of CalledItMate's free football prediction game. It costs nothing to enter, and correct calls count towards the season's leaderboard and a share of real cash prizes. New to it? How to play explains the rules in under a minute.