Within touching distance of promotion in the UEFA Nations League, Latvia conclude their campaign with a trip to Andorra on Sunday.

Despite defeat on Thursday night, the visitors are two point clear at the top of League D Group 1, while their hosts have nothing but pride left to play for.

Match preview

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After heading into their fourth fixture able to secure promotion to the Nations League's third tier with even a draw, Latvia came up short against closest rivals Moldova in midweek and must wait until the final day to seal their fate.

Head coach Dainis Kazakevics saw his side slip two goals behind just before the break in Riga, and despite a 55th-minute goal from Janis Ikaunieks, the hosts ultimately went down to their first defeat of a hitherto flawless campaign.

Wins in all four of their previous matches, each played during the summer, sees the Latvians still sitting pretty in their quest to progress to League C for the first time.

Finishing first in Group 1 would also improve their chances of securing a playoff spot for Euro 2024, and with it the chance to reach only the second European Championship in the Baltic state's history.

In all, the Wolves had gone eight games unbeaten before their slip-up on Thursday, including a 0-0 draw with Norway in Oslo during World Cup qualifying. Given such a run in the rearview mirror, they will now fancy their chances of finishing the job against more modest opponents.

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As they prepare to welcome Latvia to the tiny Estadi Nacional on Sunday, Andorra arrive home buoyed by a 2-0 victory in Liechtenstein earlier this week, which means they can no longer finish last in the group.

Two international minnows fought out their battle at the bottom in Vaduz, and the Andorrans prevailed thanks to strikes from Albert Rosas and Joan Cervos at either end of the game.

If Liechtenstein can stun Moldova, then second spot is still up for grabs should Koldo Alvarez steer his side to victory in Andorra la Vella, but more realistically third will be their final station.

The principality endured a tough World Cup qualifying campaign, in which they picked up just six points courtesy of two wins over San Marino, but have already gleaned a total of seven in the Nations League's fourth tier so far.

While Andorra have lost 15 of their last 20 away fixtures, on home soil they have actually won three of their last four - albeit against lowly-ranked opposition - so may prove harder to beat this time than in their 3-0 loss in Latvia when the sides met in March.

Team News

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After naming perhaps his strongest team in the defeat to Moldova, Dainis Kazakevics is likely to do so again; leaving nothing to chance in Latvia's efforts to wrap up top spot.

Therefore, captain Antonijs Cernomordijs helms the back four, while Vladislavs Gutkovskis should start up front, supported by Janis Ikaunieks - the current top scorer in the squad, with 11 goals.

The latter's elder brother Davis Ikaunieks could also feature for the visitors, and Roberts Uldriķis - who found the net twice in the reverse fixture - is another contender.

Meanwhile, Andorra may revert to five at the back despite their success in midweek, but in either instance Max Llovera and Albert Alavedra will team up at the heart of the hosts' defence; Ildefons Lima is absent from the squad after 25 years of service.

Albert Rosas could partner Ricard Fernandez up front, though the pair have only two international goals between them to date.

Andorra possible starting lineup:
Alvarez; Rubio, Alavedra, Llovera, E. Garcia, Cervos; Rebes, M. Vieira, M. Vales; Rosas, Fernandez

Latvia possible starting lineup:
Steinbors; Savalnieks, Cernomordijs, Dubra, Jurkovskis; D. Ikaunieks, Emsis, Tobers, Ciganiks; J. Ikaunieks, Gutkovskis

We say: Andorra 0-2 Latvia

After a brief blip, normal service should be resumed for Latvia, who are set to secure their spot in League C with a win in Andorra. They have scored goals at an average of just over two per game in this Nations League campaign, so can continue that rate on the final day.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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