North Macedonia vs Latvia Prediction: 15/11/2024

North Macedonia has made strides in recent years, earning a spot in Euro 2021, though they couldn’t progress beyond the group stage. Absent from the last Euro tournament in Germany, the team is showing promise in the Nations League, having secured 10 points over four games.

Following an opening draw against the Faroe Islands (1-1), they defeated Armenia 2-0, Latvia 3-0, and again Armenia 2-0, to lead their group with a comfortable six-point margin. Just one more point would ensure them first place.

In contrast, Latvia hasn’t featured in an international tournament since Euro 2004, and it seems unlikely they’ll qualify again soon. They’ve struggled throughout the Nations League, tallying just four points in four games. Following a 4-1 loss to Armenia, they narrowly defeated the Faroe Islands 1-0 but fell to North Macedonia 3-0, and more recently managed only a 1-1 draw against the Faroe Islands.

North Macedonia’s lineup includes key players like goalkeeper Dimitrievski (Valencia, 74 caps), defenders Alioski (Al-Ahli, 79 caps, 12 goals), Manec (Adana Demirspor), and Musliu (Paderborn, 64 caps), as well as midfielders Bardhi (Trabzonspor, 68 caps, 18 goals) and Elmas (RB Leipzig, 64 caps, 13 goals). Their leading active scorer is Aleksandar Trajkovski (Hajduk Split), with 21 goals in 89 appearances. Midfielder Kostadinov (Piast, 27 caps) is out due to injury.

Latvia’s roster lacks high-profile players, though defenders like Ciganiks (Lucerne, 57 caps) and midfielders Jaunzems (Stal Mielec, 40 caps) and Tobers (Grasshopper, 35 caps) have international experience. Their main forwards include Uldrikis (Athens Kallithea, 7 goals in 53 games) and Gustovskis (Daejeon, 11 goals in 48 games), with Ikaunieks (Rigas FC) leading with 12 goals in 62 caps.

 

Prediction

Latvia’s recent away record is poor, with just one point from their last 27 available and 23 goals conceded over this stretch. Meanwhile, North Macedonia has been dominant at home, winning 16 of their last 19 Nations League matches.

Prediction: North Macedonia 2-0 Latvia