Latvia vs North Macedonia: Nations League Match Preview

In an eagerly anticipated UEFA Nations League encounter, Latvia will host North Macedonia at Stadions Skonto in Riga on Thursday. The match is part of Group C4, with both teams aiming to build momentum early in the 2024-25 campaign.

Latvia enters the fixture following their promotion to League C after a strong performance in League D during the 2022-23 season, where they emerged as group leaders. The team kicked off this season with a victory over the Faroe Islands, though they faced a setback in a 4-1 defeat against Armenia.

Manager Dainis Kazakevics might opt for continuity in his squad, potentially retaining the side that secured a narrow 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands. Key players like Vladislavs Gutkovskis, who plays in the attacking third, will be pivotal for Latvia as they aim to leverage their home advantage and secure a first-ever win against North Macedonia.

Meanwhile, North Macedonia is seeking to make significant strides in this edition of the Nations League following a lackluster previous campaign. Coached by Blagoja Milevski, the team started their current season with a 1-1 draw against the Faroe Islands but quickly bounced back with a disciplined 2-0 victory over Armenia, even with 10 men on the field.

North Macedonia will be without defenders Visar Musliu and Gjoko Zajkov due to suspensions, as well as Darko Churlinov and Aleksandar Trajkovski who are sidelined with injuries. Despite these absences, captain Enis Bardhi remains optimistic, reflecting the team’s determination and spirit for a successful outing in Riga. Bardhi emphasizes, “When you play under pressure, you always bring out the maximum quality. We should always feel the pressure and find a way to perform our best.”

Historically, North Macedonia has the upper hand in head-to-head encounters, having defeated Latvia three times, including a double victory in 2019. The current FIFA World Rankings place North Macedonia significantly higher, suggesting a possible advantage in overall quality on the pitch.