Form and Line-up Georgia
Georgia performed poorly in World Cup qualifying and even finished 10 points behind Turkey, who took the second playoff spot. Their only win came against bottom side Bulgaria (3:0). Naturally, that was at home. At the end of March, Willy Sagnol's team tested themselves against manageable opponents, Israel at home (2:2) and Lithuania away (2:0).
Key numbers:
They have lost their last four official matches by a combined score of 2:12.
They have scored in seven consecutive friendlies.
Over 2.5 goals has landed in four of their last five matches.
Probable Georgia line-up (4-3-3): Giorgi Mamardashvili - Otar Kakabadze, Luka Lochoshvili, Guram Kashia, Giorgi Gocholeishvili - Otar Kiteishvili, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Giorgi Kochorashvili - Zuriko Davitashvili, Budu Zivzivadze, Giorgi Tsitaishvili
Absentees: Giorgi Guliashvili (injury)
Form and Line-up Romania
Romania finished only third in their qualifying group, but reached the playoffs thanks to a successful Nations League campaign. There, they lost in the semi-finals to an objectively stronger Turkey side (0:1). Just four days after being knocked out, the team, far from in their best shape after Mircea Lucescu was taken to hospital, lost a friendly to Slovakia (0:2).
Key numbers:
In four of their last five matches, one of the teams failed to score.
They have not won in five away matches, drawing only once.
Under 2.5 goals has landed in four of their seven friendlies since the start of 2024.
Probable Romania line-up (4-3-3): Ionut Radu - Andrei Ratiu, Radu Dragusin, Virgil Ghita, Nicusor Bancu - Razvan Marin, Nicolae Stanciu, Vlad Dragomir - Dennis Man, Daniel Birligea, Stefan Baiaram
Absentees: Olimpiu Morutan (injury)
