Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Poland Predictions
Bosnia and Herzegovina host Poland in Zenica on Monday in their fourth Nations League Group B4 fixture.
Since last week’s goalless draw in Warsaw, both nations have found form in front of goal and a more open contest looks likely in Zenica.
I fancy Bosnia to avoid defeat and for both teams to get on the scoresheet.
Bosnia Can Test Poles
- Bosnia are unbeaten in 13 of their last 15 matches
- Bosnia have seen BTTS in 13 of their last 16 matches
- Poland have seen BTTS in 5 of their last 7 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Poland failed to win 5 of their last 6 matches
Poland Edge H2H Record
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland have met on three occasions since 2020. Poland won twice, while one game finished level.
Bosnia Hold Sweden in Zenica
Bosnia come into Monday's fixture after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against group leaders Sweden on Friday.
Viktor Gyokeres put the visitors ahead shortly after the hour, but Kerim Alajbegovic struck in the 80th minute to secure a point for Sergej Barbarez's side.
Retiring forward Edin Dzeko was denied a farewell goal after a VAR intervention ruled out his first-half effort.
Bosnia certainly made the most of limited opportunities last week. The hosts had just four efforts on goal, and a final xG of 0.11.
Friday's tight draw came on the back of a superb 4-2 victory in Romania four days earlier. Bosnia created the better opportunities in Bucharest, registering 15 shots to Romania's 13 and finishing with a significantly higher xG total of around 2.59 to 0.95.
Five points picked up from their first three games leave the Dragons second in the section, one point ahead of Poland.
Bosnia have been proven a tough side to beat in the past two years. Sergej Barbarez’s side have lost only one of 14 competitive fixtures since November 2024, excluding the World Cup finals.
Poland Respond With Six-Goal Rout
Poland make the trip to Zenica after a dominant 6-0 win against ten-man Romania in Warsaw on Friday.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Radu Dragusin was sent off in the 22nd minute.
The veteran striker completed his hat-trick after the break with further goals from Piotr Zielinski, Jan Bednarek and a Virgil Ghita OG completing the rout.
Jan Urban's side made the most of their numerical advantage to record their first win of this Nations League campaign. Poland had been held to a goalless draw against Bosnia in their first fixture before a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Sweden last week.
Before Friday’s win in Warsaw, the Poles had failed to win any of their five previous fixtures.
Clean sheets have also been elusive, with Poland conceding in eight successive games before their rout of Romania.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Poland Squads & Team News
Bosnia and Herzegovina Squad
Goalkeepers: Martin Zlomislic, Nikola Vasilj, Mladen Jurkas, Salko Hamzic
Defenders: Tarik Muharemovic, Amar Dedic, Sead Kolasinac, Nikola Katic, Arjan Malic, Stjepan Radeljic, Nihad Mujakic, Zinedin Smajlovic
Midfielders: Ermin Mahmic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Amar Memic, Armin Gigovic, Ivan Sunjic, Ivan Basic, Nail Omerovic, Ajdin Hasic, Kenan Busuladzic, Luka Djuric
Forwards: Edin Dzeko, Kerim Alajbegovic, Ermedin Demirovic, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Haris Tabakovic, Jovo Lukic, Samed Bazdar
Head coach Barbarez will be forced into at least one change to his first XI this week.
Edin Dzeko is no longer available after confirming his international retirement after Bosnia’s draw against Sweden. Haris Tabakovic is set to replace the veteran forward this week.
Barbarez confirmed the veteran forward’s departure ahead of Monday’s Nations League contest.
“I think he has to go to Germany today. I would be glad if he appeared, to see him once again. To be honest, I'm not a friend of some goodbyes, both in private life and not like this. We will see each other many more times in our lives, as we have until now.
“That is the most important thing: that we remain friends, great people who are dignified and who hold on to each other.”
Kerim Alajbegovic faces a late fitness test to determine his availability for the home side.
Poland Squad
Goalkeepers: Mateusz Kochalski, Marcin Bulka, Slawomir Abramowicz
Defenders: Jakub Kiwior, Matty Cash, Jan Bednarek, Tymoteusz Puchacz, Kacper Potulski, Tomasz Kedziora, Przemyslaw Wisniewski, Wojciech Monka, Norbert Wojtuszek
Midfielders: Piotr Zielinski, Nicola Zalewski, Sebastian Szymanski, Jakub Kaminski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Kacper Urbanski, Michal Skoras, Bartosz Slisz, Wiktor Nowak, Marcel Regula
Forwards: Robert Lewandowski, Oskar Pietuszewski, Karol Swiderski, Mateusz Zukowski
Head coach Urban is unable to call on legendary forward Robert Lewandowski. The Chicago Fire veteran is suspended.
Adrian Benedyczak, Filip Rozga, Jakub Kaminski and Kamil Grabara are also ruled out through injury.