Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2026 World Cup Qualification match.
In the autumn, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina competed in different tiers of the Nations League, although in terms of quality, these teams are of a similar level. In Bucharest, with empty stands, neither side will want to take unnecessary risks—they are both capable of challenging Austria for top spot in the group, so dropping points early on could prove costly.
Romania
During the Nations League group stage, Romania cruised through a weak group containing Lithuania, Kosovo, and Cyprus, winning every match and conceding only three goals. In their last outing against the Cypriots, they dominated with a vertical 4-3-3 setup, allowing just 0.96 xGA. However, Romania tend to be overly cautious in big matches: at Euro 2024, three of their four goals in the tournament came in their opening match against Ukraine (3:0).
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s expected struggles in their Nations League group resulted in relegation from League A. In their last five matches, they managed to score just twice—failing to find the net in three of those games. Without Miralem Pjanić, Bosnia have yet to find a new creative force, and the absence of Edon Zhegrova, who played a key role in attack, further weakens their offensive potential.
Romania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Prediction
Romania will look to dictate the tempo at home, but without the energy of a home crowd, they may lack urgency. Bosnia and Herzegovina will likely sit deep and frustrate their opponents, leading to a match with few clear-cut chances.
