Latvia achieved promotion to League C of the Nations League in September 2023 after topping their group in the lower division. Now in a higher league, they aim not only to retain their place but to possibly secure another promotion. The Latvian team, ranked 137th by FIFA, had a mixed start to their campaign, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Armenia on September 7 but rebounding with a 1-0 victory against the Faroe Islands three days later on home turf. This victory marked Latvia’s first winning streak in over a year, dating back to the last Nations League.
Facing them is North Macedonia, a team that did not qualify for the last Euro but has remained in League C of the Nations League for three consecutive editions. North Macedonia began this season more strongly than Latvia, drawing 1-1 with the Faroe Islands and securing a 2-0 victory over Armenia at home. Despite playing with ten men for half the game, they managed to score two decisive goals.
Latvia enters the current matches with several roster changes. Notably absent are goalkeeper Ozols (19 caps), defender Isavjevs (7 caps), and forward Regza (no goals in 10 caps). However, regular goalkeeper Matrevics (8 caps) is available, and Varslavans (10 caps), who scored his first international goal in the victory over the Faroe Islands, is present. Like many of his teammates, Varslavans plays in the Latvian league.
Contrastingly, North Macedonia boasts players active in major European leagues, such as goalkeeper Dimitrievski (Valencia, 72 caps), midfielder Elmas (Leipzig, 12 goals in 62 caps), and striker Miovski (Girona, 4 goals in 25 caps). Additionally, captain Bardhi (Trabzonspor, 66 caps, 18 goals) has been pivotal, scoring in both matches in September. However, they will be without defender Zajkov (31 caps), who is suspended following a red card in the last match.
Prediction
North Macedonia enters this match in excellent form, having won 13 of their last 18 UEFA Nations League matches, including five consecutive wins. Latvia, on the other hand, has struggled with seven defeats in their last nine games, which doesn’t bode well for their prospects in this challenging encounter.
Prediction: Latvia 0, North Macedonia 1