Kazakhstan play host to San Marino on Friday looking to keep in the hunt for a top-two spot in their Euro 2024 qualification group.

At a time when the home side sit four points adrift of both Slovenia and Denmark in Group H, San Marino are bottom, albeit with a rare goal having now been scored.

Match preview

With a playoff spot already in their grasp, Kazakhstan have been able to play with a certain level of freedom in this group, one which was the most evenly-matched of all.

The 1-0 home defeat to Finland and 3-1 reverse in Denmark appears has left them as underdogs for a top-two spot, yet they shown in their last outing that they are still fighting for automatic qualification.

Two goals from Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov in the final 13 minutes of their clash in Finland secured a dramatic 2-1 success, establishing a three-point gap above their hosts on that occasion.

Magomed Adiyev's side have now delivered 15 points from their eight matches, and they will be supremely confident of adding to that tally on Friday.

A trip to Slovenia follows this contest, and a Kazakhstan triumph over San Marino and Slovenia failing to overcome Denmark in Copenhagen would set up a grandstand finish for an automatic berth on the final matchday.

Of course, San Marino will be hoping to dent Kazakhstan's hopes of setting up that scenario, yet one of the minnows of international football are still basking in the glory of scoring a goal against Denmark.

After netting just once in 16 matches - that coming against St Lucia in November 2022 - San Marino incredibly equalised against the Danes last time out, with Alessandro Golinucci scoring the famous goal.

San Marino ultimately went down by a 2-1 scoreline, but despite draws against Seychelles and St Lucia over the past 26 months, this was their most notable contribution to international football since scoring versus Poland in September 2021.

Fabrizio Costantini will hope that there is a fearlessness about his players on Friday against opponents who required a second-half penalty and last-minute goal to eventually prevail 3-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this year.

Team News

Kazakhstan are plagued by a number of injuries and suspensions, resulting in captain Askhat Tagybergen, Zaynutdinov and Maksim Samorodov all being absent from this fixture.

Aslan Darabayev looks favourite to come into the midfield, while Islam Chesnokov and Abat Aymbetov are most likely to feature in the final third with two of the attacking players in this squad being without a senior cap.

Meanwhile, San Marino will also be forced into at least one change with defender Michele Cevoli having not been selected.

Roberto Di Maio could be handed an opportunity in the back three, assuming that Constantini retains the formation and players from the valiant effort against Denmark.

Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:
Shatskiy; Bystrov, Alip, Marochkin; Kairov, Darabayev, Beysebekov, Vorogovskiy; Chesnokov, Orazov; Aymbetov

San Marino possible starting lineup:
Benedettini; D'Addario, Di Maio, Rossi, Fabbri, Tosi; Golinucci, Mularoni, Battistini; Lazzari, Nanni

We say: Kazakhstan 4-0 San Marino

Although San Marino will play with a sense of freedom now that they have finally found the back of the net, this should be one-way traffic in the home side's favour. With goal difference still having the potential to play its part, expect a ruthless showing from Kazakhstan.


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