Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Poland: key Nations League clash for second place in Group 4

Second battles third for promotion hopes

Bosnia-Herzegovina, currently second in League B Group 4 of the UEFA Nations League, host third-placed Poland in Zenica on Monday, with only one point separating the two nations. A win could strengthen either side's chances of automatic promotion back to League A, from which both were relegated last season.

Under Sergej Barbarez, Bosnia have had a solid if unspectacular start, remaining unbeaten through three games for five points. They opened with a goalless draw against Poland, followed by a 4-2 away win over Romania, and then drew at home with group leaders Sweden thanks to a late equaliser from Kerim Alajbegovic. According to Sports Mole, Bosnia have lost just two of their last 15 matches across all competitions, both at the World Cup — against Switzerland in the group stage and against co-hosts the USA in the round of 32. At home, the Dragons have lost only once in their last eight games, though their previous three home matches all ended level.

Poland, managed by Jan Urban, have taken four points from three games. After their opening draw with Bosnia, they lost 3-1 to leaders Sweden before thrashing 10-man Romania 6-0 in their last outing, following Radu Dragusin's 22nd-minute red card. Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick in that game, including a converted penalty — Poland's biggest win since a 7-1 victory over San Marino in 2021, and one that ended a five-match winless run that had also included a playoff defeat to Sweden costing Poland a World Cup spot. Poland remain unbeaten in their last six meetings with Bosnia, winning four, but their away form has been poor, with just two wins in their last eight road games, both against Malta and Lithuania.

Team news

Bosnia will play their first match without legendary captain and striker Edin Dzeko, who was given a farewell appearance in the previous game against Sweden. Haris Tabakovic is expected to lead the line in his absence, while Alajbegovic and left-back Sead Kolasinac should retain their places. Poland have no fresh injury concerns, but Lewandowski will serve a suspension for accumulated bookings — his hat-trick took his international tally to 92 goals, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ali Daei, Sunil Chhetri and Romelu Lukaku among all-time top scorers. Mateusz Zukowski is set to deputise in his place.

Sports Mole predicts a 1-1 draw, noting that a point would be enough for Bosnia to keep their top-two ambitions alive, while Poland's poor recent away form raises doubts about their chances of taking all three points.