Moldova vs Estonia Prediction: Group I minnows may cancel each other out

Moldova and Estonia both made losing starts in their unlikely quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and they will look at Tuesday's meeting in Chisinau as a chance to get off the mark in Group I.

Vadim Rata's Tricolorii lost 5-0 at home to Norway on Saturday, while Sinisargid went down 2-1 to Israel on neutral territory in Debrecen, Hungary. With Italy completing the pool, these sides are unlikely to receive any favours, with this match at Stadionul Zimbru and their second meeting in October by both camps' priorities.

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Moldova duo Artur Ionita and five-goal striker Vitalie Damascan withdrew from the squad before the Norway game, with Heerenveen forward Ion Nicolaescu again expected to lead the line.

Estonia will be without midfielder Markus Soomets after the Den Bosch man's dismissal against Israel, so either Mihkel Ainsalu or Kevor Palumets could start.

There is also likely to be a change in goal, with Matvei Igonen expected to come into the side after replacing Karl Hein at half-time during the defeat in Debrecen.

Moldova vs Estonia Odds

Moldova are 21/20 to make it four wins out of five at home following a trio of victories before their hammering against Norway. Meanwhile, Estonia are 13/5 to end their four-match winless run, with the draw 2/1.

Tuesday's clash will be the first time these teams have met since November 2008, but that match and the three before it ended 1-0 in Estonia's favour.

In fact, a 'No' in both teams to score (4/6) has occurred in all five meetings, as has under 1.5 goals (6/4).

Draw @ 2/1

Estonia sit 123rd in the world rankings, 28 places above their hosts, but home form can be a leveller and Moldova are usually solid against sides in and around them in the global standings.

Losing Hein and Soomets is also something Sinisargid's coach, Jurgen Henn, will need to counter.

Their absences improve Moldova's chances, but Tricolorii have not won a World Cup qualifier since beating Montenegro 5-2 in October 2013.

Estonia beat Belarus in the campaign for the 2022 tournament but have only won once on the road in their quest for a place at a World Cup since October 2012.

These two could cancel each other out in Chisinau, with 1-1 a decent outcome at 5/1.

Ion Nicolaescu to score anytime @ 2/1

If the game is to get a goal, Moldova's Nicolaescu looks like a player to watch as he has netted five times in this season's Eredivisie.

The most recent of his 16 international goals came in September's home Nations League win over Malta and he looks like a class act when assessing each side's attacking options.

Having scored against Austria, Poland, and Sweden during his career, the 26-year-old can trouble the visitors.

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