Gibraltar and Montenegro square off at Europa Sports Park on Friday with both teams having already failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
While the home side have lost each of their six matches in Group L, the visitors have accumulated just six points from as many games and already sit seven points adrift of second-placed Czech Republic.
Although they remain six points behind Faroe Islands in third spot, Montenegro would need to overturn a 13-goal deficit – as well as win twice – to have any chance of achieving that position.
How the bookies see it: Montenegro remain heavy favourites
Montenegro may have suffered a demoralising 4-0 defeat to Faroe Islands in their last World Cup qualifier, but that has not stopped BOYLE Sports making them the 1/5 favourites.
While it is a justifiable price, the 5/1 for the draw may prove attractive to some punters. Gibraltar have been priced at betting odds of 14/1.
Head to head: Montenegro to continue their dominance?
These two nations have squared off on three previous occasions, all of which have taken place since the start of 2021.
In the two World Cup qualifiers from that year, Montenegro recorded a 4-1 victory in their home fixture before prevailing by a 3-0 scoreline in the reverse game in Gibraltar.
Meanwhile, earlier in this campaign, Montenegro came through with a 3-1 triumph in Niksic. However, it should be noted that Gibraltar took a surprise lead in that contest through Larne midfielder Dan Bent.
Players to watch: Jovetic to take centre stage?
Montenegro head coach Mirko Vucinic may decide that it is the right time to blood some younger players in light of the embarrassment in the Faroe Islands.
Nevertheless, you cannot look past Stevan Jovetic adding to his 37 goals from 89 appearances for his country. At 36 years of age and with an historic 100 caps in his sights, the veteran should start this contest.
From Gibraltar's perspective, Manchester United prospect James Scanlon is one to watch with his two goals from 18 games.
While the 19-year-old is yet to represent the Premier League giants at senior level, the playmaker contributed a phenomenal 14 goals and five assists from just 14 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League in 2024-25.
Probable lineups:
Gibraltar will make at least two changes from the 3-0 defeat to Croatia with Carlos Richards and Jeremy Perera not in this squad.
Veteran midfielder Liam Walker returns to the group and will be looking to extend his all-time record caps and goals return. The 37-year-old currently has eight strikes from 88 appearances. Jaiden Bartolo could earn a start down the centre of the attack.
At a time when Jovetic returns to the squad, Montenegro are missing four players – including veteran defender Stefan Savic – from the team that started against Faroe Islands.
Adam Marusic should start at right-back, while Milan Osmajic may drop out to accommodate Jovetic's return.
Gibraltar: Hankins; Annesley, Jolley, Lopes, Ronan; Valarino, Bent, Walker; Scanlon, Bartolo, De Barr
Montenegro: Nikic; Marusic, Rubezic, Sipcic, Radunovic; Perovic, Simun, Jankovic; Adzic; Jovetic, Krstovic
Anything else catch the eye?
Gibraltar have lost each of their eight matches during 2025, scoring just the two goals which came away in Montenegro and Faroe Islands.
They have also conceded 15 successive goals in home fixtures without getting on the scoresheet.
The last time that Gibraltar avoided defeat was in a 1-1 draw against Moldova in a friendly on November 19, 2024.
On the same date, Montenegro stunned Turkey with a 3-1 win in the UEFA Nations League, but they have won only three matches since that occasion, at home to Gibraltar, Faroe Islands and Liechtenstein.
Montenegro have not won on their travels since a 1-0 success in Bulgaria in March 2023.
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