San Marino vs Albania 29 September 2026 Prediction

San Marino’s League C debut ended in a 7-0 home loss to Finland. Albania is next, and another difficult match awaits. Albania enters as the group favorite after winning its opener.

San Marino: Not Yet Competitive in League C

San Marino earned its first promotion to League C last season. It kept friendlies against Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands close earlier this year, losing both 2-1. Results against stronger opponents have been much worse: San Marino lost 7-1 to Romania and 10-0 to Austria in 2026 World Cup qualifying before the 7-0 defeat to Finland.

Roberto Cevoli’s team produced just 0.04 expected goals (xG) against Finland and did not register a shot on target. Starting right winger Filippo Berardi, who has 45 international appearances, is unavailable for the fall international window. Striker Nicola Nanni, who has five goals in 57 appearances, is playing through an injury. Midfielder Alessandro Golinucci, capped 67 times, is also out after receiving a red card against Finland.

Albania: Seeking a Return to League B

Albania was relegated from League B last season and missed out on the 2026 World Cup. It reached the World Cup qualifying playoffs, where it lost 2-1 to Poland, and recorded away Nations League wins over Ukraine (2-1) and Georgia (1-0). Sylvinho was replaced by manager Rolando Maran, who has emphasized organized defending and quick, direct attacks. After two matches to adjust to his approach, Albania opened its new Nations League campaign with a 2-0 win over Belarus.

Midfielder Qazim Laçi, who has four goals in 48 international appearances, center back Arlind Ajeti (40 appearances) and goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha (47) are missing this window through injury. Rey Manaj and Ernest Muci, who missed international matches in the spring, were active in attack against Belarus; Muci scored. Etrit Berisha made three saves in goal.

San Marino vs Albania Predicted Lineup

San Marino (4-1-2-1-2): Colombo; Fabbri, Cevoli, Pasolini, Tosi; Capicchioni; Meloni, Mularoni; Zannoni; Giacopetti, Nanni.

Unavailable: Berardi (injury), Golinucci (suspension).

Manager: Roberto Cevoli.

Albania (4-2-3-1): Berisha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Pilo; Asllani, Ramadani; Seferi, Muci, Hoxha; Manaj.

Unavailable: Laçi, Ajeti, Strakosha, Cakë, Balliu and Pajaziti (injuries); Broja, Bajrami and Asani (not in the squad).

Manager: Rolando Maran.

Referee: Mihai Kaprali (Hungary).

In 12 competitive matches last season, Kaprali called an average of 24.5 fouls and issued 3.08 yellow cards per match. He showed one red card and awarded two penalties across those matches.

San Marino vs Albania Prediction: Albania Handicap -3.5

Main prediction: Finland generated 3.84 xG against San Marino and scored seven times. With Berardi out and Nanni carrying an injury, San Marino offered little going forward and failed to put a shot on target. It has also suffered heavy defeats in competitive matches against other opponents, including a 6-0 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Albania, meanwhile, held Belarus to 0.61 xG in a 2-0 win. The main pick is Albania -3.5 at 2.35.

Total goals prediction: San Marino has conceded at least four goals in five of its last eight home matches across all competitions. It conceded seven against Finland in its Nations League opener. The additional pick is over 3.5 total goals at 1.98.