Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker:
Desperate to avoid a major EURO 24 qualifying upset on Thursday night, Poland will welcome Estonia to the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.
Poland
Starting with the hosts, although Poland might have come under plenty of scrutiny during their EURO 24 qualifying adventure last year, it is no surprise that the Eagles are tipped as a leading contender to punch their ticket to Germany. Smelling a golden opportunity on Thursday night, new boss Michal Probierz will simply be looking to avoid an infamous qualifying upset here. Despite winning just a trio of their previous 10 competitive appearances across all competitions, Poland will certainly be excited by their remarkable qualifying success on home soil. In fact, Probierz’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous 20 straight European Championship qualifying showdowns in front of their own supporters a run that stems all the way back to September 2006. Despite seeking some recent stability, the Eagles should be relishing Estonia’s arrival here.
Team News
Already notching 11 goals across all competitions since opening the New Year, Barcelona icon Robert Lewandowski will make more history on Thursday night when he earns a remarkable 147th international cap. Managing to find some recent first-team action with Premier League giants Jakub Kiwior will join Southampton’s Jan Bednarek at the back.
Despite missing November’s international break, Aston Villa defender Matty Cash has been included in Poland’s squad and will make a full return in Warsaw. Despite making 24 Serie A appearances with defending champions Napoli this season, Piotr Zielinski could be forced to settle for a spot on the bench.
Estonia
As for the visitors, although Estonia might have embarked on an eye-catching Nations League flurry back in the summer of 2022, the Blueshirts have certainly come crashing back down to earth. Signing off their qualifying adventure with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Sweden back on November 19th, Thomas Haberli’s men collected just a single point from any of their eight Group F appearances. Along with failing to find the net in any of their previous six contests on the bounce, the former Luzern boss has seen his squad gain a reputation for their glaring issues on foreign soil. Facing what appears to be a monumental challenge when they arrive in Warsaw, it should be highlighted that Haberli’s side failed to win any of their last 14 straight EURO qualifying showdowns outside of Tallinn.
Team News
Although 20-year-old Martin Vetkal might still be waiting to make a senior debut for Italian heavyweights Roma, the midfield starlet has been included in Estonia’s squad and could feature from the bench here. Still on the books with Premier League giants Arsenal and a regular part of Mikel Arteta’s squad, Karl Hein will start between the sticks and earn a 28th international cap on Thursday night.
Despite now being 39 years of age, veteran midfielder Konstantin Vassiljev will lead out Estonia and earn a 157th cap in Warsaw. Playing his domestic football with Irish outfit Shamrock Rovers, Markus Poom will start at the heart of Haberli’s midfield.
Key Factors to Consider
