Latvia take on Armenia in a potentially defining UEFA Nations League League C4 match at the Stadions Skonto on Sunday afternoon. Both sides will be desperate to bounce back from disappointing defeats earlier in the week, as Latvia slumped to North Macedonia and Armenia suffered a shock home defeat at the hands of the Faroe Islands.
Match Preview
Latvia’s troubles in the 2024-25 Nations League campaign continued on Thursday as they fell 1-0 to North Macedonia. Despite a good first half that saw them defend well, the Wolves were undone after Nikola Serafimov’s strike separated both sides, leaving them winless in three group matches.
Coming into the final group stage match, Latvia is bottom of the League C4 table. If they can defeat Armenia and North Macedonia do them a favor by beating the Faroe Islands, the only way they would have any hope of a top-two climb. But Latvia will have to strongly improve at home, where their last Nations League outing was a 3-0 loss to North Macedonia.
While Armenia lost the previous four without a win since the victory over Latvia in the first match of this tournament. Their campaign reached another low Thursday when Faroe Islands won 1-0 through a first-half penalty by Viljormur Davidsen.
With both teams on four points at the bottom of the group, Sunday’s match is, in effect, a battle to avoid finishing last, which could lead to relegation to League D via playoffs in March. Armenia does not hold an inspiring record at Stadions Skonto, where they lost 2-0 in October 2023 during the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Form Guide
Latvia Nations League form: LWLDL
Latvia overall form: WLWLDL
Armenia Nations League form: WLDLL
Overall form : WWLDLL
Team News
Latvia manager Paolo Nicolato may look to change his attack after the fail to score against North Macedonia. Roberts Uldrikis and Vladislavs Gutkovskis are pushing for a start with young forward Dario Sits perhaps making way while there is a possible start for defender Kristers Tobers following an impressive second-half appearance against North Macedonia.
Armenia boss Oleksandr Petrakov may also mix things around after a below-par performance against the Faroe Islands. Edgar Sevikyan and Artur Miranyan, who were withdrawn at half-time, are unlikely to begin this clash. Ranos, Grant-Leon and Manvelyan, Gor could start this game as Armenia will want to get their attack firing once again.
Predicted Lineups
Latvia (3-5-2):
Matrevics; Jurkovskis, Cernomordijs, Jagodinskis; Savalnieks, Jaunzems, Vapne, Zelenkovs, Ciganiks; Uldrikis, Gutkovskis
Armenia (4-2-3-1):
Cancarevic; Hambardzumyan, Haroyan, Arutiunian, Tiknizyan; Iwu, Bichakhchyan; Shaghoyan, Ranos, Spertsyan; Zelarayan
Prediction
Latvia 2-2 Armenia
This has all the makings of a goal-heavy encounter, as both teams desperately seek a victory to consolidate second place. Armenia need to recover from that shocking loss to the Faroe Islands, and there could still be a little fragility in their confidence. The home team advantage for Latvia, plus adjustments in attack, should make the difference, but the visitors should do enough to leave Riga with a point.
