MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 23:41:40| >> :600:203999:203999:
[monks data]
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
Friendlies 1
Jun 2, 2021 at 5pm UK
 
Montenegro national football team

Bosnia H'vina
0 - 0
Montenegro


Krunic (53'), Ahmedhodzic (83')
FT

Savicevic (42'), Tomasevic (68')

Preview: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Montenegro - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's International Friendlies clash between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro square off in an international friendly in Sarajevo on Wednesday, with both sides having failed to qualify for next month's European Championships.

Despite their failure to qualify for Euro 2020, the two teams kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaigns in March and will look to build confidence going into the next round of fixtures later in the year.


Match preview

Montenegro coach Miodrag Radulovic on March 30, 2021© Reuters

As we approach the beginning of Euro 2020, Bosnia-Herzegovina have been left thinking of what could have been, after they lost in a penalty shootout to Northern Ireland in the playoff round last year.

The game finished 1-1 after Niall McGinn cancelled out Rade Krunic's opener, and Ivaylo Petev's side fell short in the shootout as Haris Hajradinovic and Edin Visca failed to convert their spot kicks.

As a result, the Dragons' wait for a major tournament will continue, having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup or the last three European Championships.

Their qualification bid for the 2022 World Cup did not start well either, having kicked off their campaign with two points from their opening three games in the last round of international fixtures.

That did include a narrow 1-0 loss to World Cup champions France though, as Antoine Griezmann netted the only goal of the game on the hour mark.

They will now look to bounce back from that disappointing round of fixtures with a win on Wednesday, before they return to competitive action in September.

Edin Dzeko in action for Bosnia-Herzegovina on September 4, 2020© Reuters

Montenegro had a much more pleasing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign in the last international break, and come in with much more optimism as a result.

Miodrag Radulovic's side picked up six points from their opening three games, having started with consecutive victories, firstly defeating Latvia 2-1 away from home.

Janis Ikaunieks put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half time, but Stefan Jovetic immediately equalised before he netted his second of the game in the 82nd minute to seal all three points for his nation.

They then followed that up with a convincing 4-1 victory at home to Gibraltar, as Fatos Beciraj, Marko Simic, Zarko Tomasevic and Jovetic all got on the scoresheet.

While they suffered a narrow defeat to Norway in their most recent outing, Montenegro will be hopeful of quickly bouncing back, and this week's international friendlies provide a good opportunity for Radulovic's men to quickly get back to winning ways before they continue their qualifying push in September.

Bosnia-Herzegovina International Friendlies form:
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • D

Bosnia-Herzegovina form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • L

Montenegro International Friendlies form:
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W

Montenegro form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L



Team News

Montenegro's Zarko Tomasevic celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on March 27, 2021© Reuters

Bosnia-Herzegovina manager Ivaylo Petev opted to leave several key players out of his squad for the upcoming friendlies, with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic not travelling with the squad.

Meanwhile, record scorer Edin Dzeko has also not been called up as well as Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

In the absence of Begovic, Ibrahim Sehic should feature between the sticks, while AC Milan attacker Rade Krunic will be the key man going forward.

They will also be without Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac, who is not in the squad after a season on loan at Schalke 04.

Montenegro have also opted to leave several players out of the squad, with record scorer Stefan Jovetic missing out.

In his absence, Fatos Beciraj should come into the side for his 79th international appearance.

Stefan Savic will lead the defence, having recently lifted the La Liga title with Atletico Madrid.

Bosnia-Herzegovina possible starting lineup:
Sehic; Hadzikadunic, Sanicanin, Ahmedhodzic; Todorovic, Hadziahmetovic, Danilovic, Civic; Krunic, Demirovic, Prevljak

Montenegro possible starting lineup:
Mijatovic; Vesovic, Savic, Vijacic, Tomasevic; Kosovic, Scekic, Savicevic, Haksabanovic; Beciraj, Milosevic


SM words green background

We say: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Montenegro

With key attacking players left out for both sides, this could be a low-scoring affair, especially with the majority of standout players operating in defence.

On this occasion, we see the sides drawing in Sarajevo, with both attacks struggling to create chances.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



ID:449758:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10286:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Bosnia H'vina vs Montenegro

Bosnia-Herzegovina
55.2%
Draw
29.9%
Montenegro
14.9%
67
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Northern Ireland's Liam Boyce celebrates after the Euro 2020 qualification playoff with Bosnia-Herzegovina on October 8, 2020
Read Next:
Ian Baraclough credits Northern Ireland's homework for penalty shootout win
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
OT
Vikings
30-27
Bears
FT
Lions
24-6
Colts
FT
Patriots
15-34
Dolphins
FT
Buccaneers
30-7
Giants
FT
Chiefs
30-27
Panthers
FT
Titans
32-27
Texans
FT
Cowboys
34-26
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!