Within touching distance of promotion in the UEFA Nations League, Latvia will conclude their campaign with a trip to Andorra on Sunday.
Despite defeat on Thursday, the visitors are two points clear at the top of League D Group 1, while their hosts have nothing but pride left to play for.
As they prepare to welcome Latvia to Estadi Nacional, Andorra arrive home bouyed by a 2-0 victory in Liechtenstein earlier this week, which means they can no longer finish last in the group.
Should Liechtenstein surprise Moldova, then second spot is still up for grabs if Koldo Alvarez will steer his side to victory in Andorra la Vella, but more reastically third will be their final spot.
While Andorra have lost 15 of their last 20 away matches, they have won three of their last four on home soil, although against lowly-ranked opposition, so may prove harder to beat this time than in their 3-0 defeat in Latvia when the teams met in March.
After entering their fourth fixture able to secure promotion to the Nations League’s third tier with even a draw, Latvia lost to closest rivals Moldova in midweek and must wait until the final day to seal their fate.
Victories in all four of their previous matches, each played durng the summer, sees the Latvians still sitting so much in their quest to progress to League C for the first time.
Finishing first in Group 1 would also improve their chances of earning a playoff spot for Euro 2024, and with it the chance to reach only the second European Championship in their history.
Latvia had gone eight matches unbeaten before their slip-up on Thursday, and with such a run in the rearview mirror, they will now fancy their chances of finishing the job against more modest opponents.
Andorra vs Latvia head to head
These two nations have previously met on 10 occasions across three competitions, where Latvia have claimed seven victories while they have draw in three. Latvia have scored 22 goals and conceded just one in the process. In their last five meetings, Latvia have won two while they have drawn three.
Latvia 0-0 Andorra 06/09/18
Andorra 0-0 Latvia 19/11/18
Latvia 0-0 Andorra 03/09/20
Andorra 0-5 Latvia 17/11/20
Latvia 3-0 Andorra 03/06/22
Andorra latest home form
Andorra have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Liechtenstein 2-1 in their last home game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and also conceded five.
Andorra 1-4 Poland 12/11/21
Andorra 1-0 St Kitts and Nevis 25/03/22
Andorra 1-0 Grenada 28/03/22
Andorra 0-0 Moldova 06/06/22
Andorra 2-1 Liechtenstein 10/06/22
Andorra latest away form
Andorra have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They defeated Liechtenstein 2-0 in their last away game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded six.
San Marino 0-3 Andorra 12/10/21
Albania 1-0 Andorra 15/11/21
Latvia 3-0 Andorra 03/06/22
Moldova 2-1 Andorra 14/06/22
Liechtenstein 0-2 Andorra 22/09/22
Latvia latest home form
Latvia were beaten 2-1 by Moldova in their last home game in the Nations League. However, they have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their previous three matches. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded five.
Latvia 1-2 Turkey 11/10/21
Latvia 1-1 Kuwait 25/03/22
Latvia 3-0 Andorra 03/06/22
Latvia 1-0 Liechtenstein 06/06/22
Latvia 1-2 Moldova 22/09/22
Latvia latest away form
Latvia have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Liechtenstein 2-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded just three.
Norway 0-0 Latvia 13/11/21
Gibraltar 1-3 Latvia 16/11/21
Azerbaijan 0-1 Latvia 29/03/22
Moldova 2-4 Latvia 10/06/22
Liechtenstein 0-2 Latvia 14/06/22
Andorra news
Andorra may revert to five at the back despite their victory in midweek, with Max Llovera and Albert Alvedra most likely to team up at the heart of the defence.
Ricard Fernandez could partner Albert Rosas up front, though the pair have only two international goals between them so far.
Latvia news
Dainis Kazakevics is most likely to name his strongest team on Sunday, leaving nothing to chance in Latvia’s efforts to wrap up top spot.
Captain Antonijs Cernomordijs will lead the back four, while Vladislavs Gutkovskis should start up front, supported by Janis Ikaunieks, with Roberts Uldrikis also in contention for a start.
Prediction and Odds
After a brief glitch, normal service should be resumed for Latvia, who are set to secure their spot in League C with a win in Andorra.
They have scored goals at an average of just over two per game in this Nations League campaign, so we expect them to continue that rate on Sunday.
Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.05 2 2.21
Probable outcomes
Andorra 0-2 Latvia
Andorra 1-2 Latvia
Andorra 1-3 Latvia
Andorra 2-3 Latvia
Andorra 1-1 Latvia
