Moldova vs Andorra Prediction: 10/10/2024

Moldova kicked off their campaign on a strong note last month with a 2-0 win over Malta, which positioned them at the top of their group, a trio that includes their last match’s opponent and their upcoming rival this Thursday. Ranked 149th by FIFA, Moldova has yet to make a significant impact in major European or World competitions since gaining independence in the 1990s. In addition to their competitive match, they secured a 1-0 victory against San Marino in a friendly match in September. Their next competitor, Andorra, presents a lesser challenge on paper.

Andorra has been competing in League D of the Nations League since the competition’s inception in 2018. Under the guidance of Koldo Alvarez, they have managed only two wins out of 18 matches over six years, both wins coming in the last campaign of 2022. They started this campaign with a 0-1 home defeat to Malta and are currently enduring a 19-match winless streak across all competitions, which includes four draws and 15 losses. Additionally, Andorra has failed to score in their last five matches.

While no names from the Moldovan squad are widely recognized internationally, the team includes several key players. These include left-back Reabciuk with 50 caps from Spartak Moscow, midfielder Ionita from Lecco in Italian Serie C with 73 caps, and notably, striker Nicolaescu from Heerenveen in the Netherlands, who has 47 caps and 16 goals. Nicolaescu was instrumental in the win against Malta, contributing a goal.

The Andorran squad mostly consists of players from their domestic league or lower Spanish divisions. Notable exceptions include goalkeeper Alvarez of Villarreal B, who has 25 caps, and forward Ricard Fernandez, who plays in Russia and has netted two goals in 44 appearances. The team’s captain, Pujol, aged 42, is still active in the squad, while midfielder Vales, with 5 goals, is the top scorer among the current players.

 

Prediction

Moldova has been strong at home, winning five of their last seven UEFA Nations League matches and only losing once in their last ten. Andorra, on the other hand, has struggled away from home, suffering four losses in their last six away games.

Prediction: Moldova 2, Andorra 0