Preview: Georgia vs Israel Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | International Friendly 2026
What to expect at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium on 26 March?
Georgia host Israel at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi this Thursday at 21:00 local time. This international friendly carries more weight than the label suggests.
Willy Sagnol’s side enters the fixture after a difficult qualifying stretch. They conceded 13 goals during their World Cup qualification campaign. Sagnol has spoken openly about using this match to rebuild confidence and cohesion.
Sagnol named a 24-man squad for this fixture. Sturm Graz midfielder Gizi Mamageishvili, 23, could make his senior debut. However, injuries rule out three senior players: Giorgi Kochorashvili, Otar Kakabadze, and Iuri Tabatadze. These absences force Sagnol to rotate his defensive and midfield options earlier than planned.
Despite these gaps, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leads the Georgia attack. The PSG forward continues to play at an elite level. He can win games single-handedly.
His presence at the Meskhi Stadium will surely lift the Tbilisi crowd. Striker Giorgi Mikautadze remains equally vital to the team’s identity. Fans consider this pair Georgia’s most dangerous attacking combination.
Israel arrive having won three of their last five matches. They drew one and lost one in that period. However, they concede an average of 2.8 goals per game.
Georgia’s forwards will find that number encouraging. Israel recently beat Moldova 4-1 and held Lithuania to a 0-0 draw. These results show a side that changes intensity based on the opponent.
Thursday’s fixture gives Georgia a chance to fine-tune their setup. The home advantage at Meskhi should help. Georgia look like the team most likely to control the game after a tough autumn.
Match Details:
- Location: Tbilisi, Georgia
- Stadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
- Date: Thursday, March 26
- Kick-off Time: 10:30 PM IST
- Referee: TBA
- VAR: In use
Form:
- Georgia: L-L-L-L-W
- Israel: W-D-L-L-L
Key Players to Watch:
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
Kvaratskhelia arrives in Tbilisi in the best form of his career. He scored against Chelsea in both legs of PSG’s Champions League last-16 tie this month. He netted twice in the 5-2 first-leg win and added another in the 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.
He has four goals and three assists in 20 Ligue 1 appearances this season. These stats show why Georgia build their entire system around him.
Oscar Gloukh (Israel)
Gloukh, a 21-year-old, handles the creative duties for Israel. He has five goals and five assists in 24 Eredivisie matches for Ajax this season. He maintains a 7.08 FotMob rating.
Manager Ben Shimon places him at the heart of his tactical plans. Ajax technical director Alex Kroes describes him as a talented playmaker with excellent vision. Israel will need his creativity to break down Georgia’s home defence.
Match Facts:
- Both sides finished third in their qualifying groups.
- Israel conceded the most goals per game in their group.
- Turkey beat Georgia 4-1, followed by the latter’s 4-0 loss to Spain.
Betting Tips and Odds:
- The Crusaders to win: 4/5 (William Hill)
- Both teams to score – Yes: 4/5 (Evens)
- Total goals over 2.5: 8/11 (William Hill)
Injuries and Team News:
Georgia have three confirmed absentees. Giorgi Kochorashvili, Otar Kakabadze, and Iuri Tabatadze all miss the game. This leaves Sagnol without his main pivot and two reliable defenders. Sagnol included Gizi Mamageishvili in the squad. He clearly wants to test his depth.
Israel report no fresh injury concerns. Their full 23-man squad is available for the trip to Tbilisi.
Head-To-Head Stats:
- Total matches: 2
- Georgia wins: 0
- Israel wins: 1
- Draws: 1
Predicted Starting Lineups:
Georgia Predicted Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Mamardashvili; Azarov, Dvali, Lokhoshvili, Goholeishvili; Kiteishvili, Chakvetadze; Davitashvili, Kvernadze, Kvaratskhelia; Mikautadze.
Israel Predicted Starting Lineup (4-3-3):
Eliasi; Dasa, Nachmias, Mizrahi, Lemkin; Peretz, Khalaili, Gloukh; Ganah, Turgeman, Jaber.
Match Prediction:
The Crusaders hold the home advantage. Israel’s defence looks fragile after conceding 2.8 goals per game recently. Kvaratskhelia enters the match in superb form for PSG.
Israel often struggle to keep clean sheets against technically organised teams. Georgia should control this match from the start.
Sagnol’s defensive injuries might cause issues, but Mikautadze and Kvaratskhelia have the quality to punish Israel’s backline.
Predicted Result: Georgia 2–1 Israel
Telecast Details:
No confirmed broadcast.
Who are the key players to watch in the Georgia vs Israel match?
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the star man for the home side following his recent Champions League goals for PSG, while 21-year-old playmaker Oscar Gloukh leads the creative efforts for Israel.
What is the recent form of both teams heading into this fixture?
Georgia have struggled recently with four losses in their last five matches, whereas Israel have secured three wins in their previous five outings despite defensive inconsistencies.
Where and when will the match take place?
The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, at 21:00 local time (10:30 PM IST) at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia.
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