Latvia vs Moldova Match Analysis and Prediction

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Latvia will face Moldova in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday with the hosts able to secure promotion to Europe’s third tier of the competition by avoiding defeat.

On the other hand, Moldova must win in Riga if they are to stand any chance of leapfrogging their opponents into top spot in Group 1.

After failing to secure promotion to League C in two previous attempts, Latvia will feel that they are on the verge of competing at a level more befitting of their status should they confirm their promotion against Moldova on Thursday.

Latvia reached their lowest ever FIFA World Ranking when dropping to 148th in September 2017, but Dainis Kazakevics has overseen gradual progression since taking over in January 2020, including in them winning all four of their matches in the current Nations League campaign so far.

That said, even a draw against second-placed Moldova would prove enough to see them climb into League C from the bottom tier. Finishing first would also improve their chances of earning a playoff spor for a chance to reach only the second European Championship in their history.

Meanwhile, Moldova were relegated from League C last time out in this competition, after picking up just one point from six matches against Slovenia, Greece and Kosovo.

Since taking over earlier this year, Serghei Clescenco has struggled to make a positive impact with the country he earned 69 caps for during his playing career, winning just two of his eight games in charge so far.

Moldova’s 4-2 defeat at home to Latvia in June has left them needing to win the return leg to have any chance of bouncing back to League C at the first attempt, while failing to top the group would also make it difficult to have any chance of reaching a firstmajor international tournament.

Latvia vs Moldova head to head

These two nations have previously met on just four occasions across three competitions, where Latvia have claimed three victories while Moldova have won one. Latvia have scored 10 goals and conceded seven in the process. In their last meeting, Latvia claimed a 4-2 away win in the Nations League.

Latvia 1-2 Moldova 22/08/07

Moldova 1-2 Latvia 06/09/08

Latvia 3-2 Moldova 14/10/09

Moldova 2-4 Latvia 10/06/22

Latvia latest home form

Latvia have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their three most recent matches. They managed to defeat Liechtenstein 1-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded four.

Latvia 0-1 Netherlands 08/10/21

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 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 Nations 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

Moldova latest home form

Moldova managed to defeat Andorra 2-1 in their last home game in the Nations League. However, they have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having lost each of their previous six matches. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded 12.

Moldova 0-2 Scotland 12/11/21

Moldova 2-3 Uganda 18/01/22

Moldova 1-2 Kazakhstan 24/03/22

Moldova 2-4 Latvia 10/06/22

Moldova 2-1 Andorra 14/06/22

Moldova latest away form

Moldova have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their 10 most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Andorra in their last away game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded eight.

Austria 4-1 Moldova 15/11/21

Korea Republic 4-0 Moldova 21/01/22

Kazakhstan (P)0-1 Moldova 29/03/22

Liechtenstein 0-2 Moldova 03/06/22

Andorra 0-0 Moldova 06/06/22

Latvia news

Maksims Tonisevs, Daniels Balodis, Emils Birka and Krisjanis Zviedris will all be hoping to make their international debuts against Moldova on Thursday.

Head coach Kazakevics could name the same starting XI which defeated Liechtenstein in June, with any potential changes more likely to be made against Andorra at the weekend.

Moldova news

Moldova have brought seven different players into their squad compared to the previous one, including Pisa midfielder Artur Ionita.

With Vadim Rata suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, Ionita could earn his 62nd cap in midfield on Thursday, with Clescenco retaining the rest of the squad which defeated Andorra 2-1 in June.

Prediction and Odds

These teams each have decent strikers to build around in the shape of Vladislavs Gutkovskis and Ion Nicolaescu respectively, so we expect a few goals on Thursday.

However, the hosts enter the contest in much better form and also possess the advantage of settling for at least a draw in Riga.

Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.05 2 2.30