Latvia vs Gibraltar – News and Probable Lineups

Latvia is set to host Gibraltar at the Skonto Stadium for Tuesday’s UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff.

The home side holds a narrow advantage going into the return leg after securing a 1-0 win in Gibraltar earlier this week.

Match overview

Following their promotion in the 2022-23 Nations League, Latvia is striving to avoid an immediate drop back to League D – the lowest tier of the league system.

They fell into the promotion/relegation playoffs after managing just four points across six matches, placing them at the bottom of a group featuring North Macedonia, Armenia, and the Faroe Islands.

Latvia and their playoff rival, Gibraltar, have experienced a lengthy wait to resume their contest due to the occurrence of a World Cup qualifying campaign between the conclusion of the Nations League group stage and the initiation of the playoffs.

Under Paolo Nicolato’s management, the team notched up a single win, two draws, and five losses in their unsuccessful bid for qualification, finishing fourth in a group topped by England with Albania securing a playoff spot.

While advancement was unlikely for the team ranked 139th globally, Latvia will have confidence heading into their current Nations League playoff matchup against Gibraltar, particularly having gained a 1-0 lead from the initial match due to VladislaxGutkoxis’ second-half penalty.

Latvia has triumphed in their last three encounters against Gibraltar, including a 3-1 victory in their most recent home fixture against them in September 2021.

After being relegated from League C in the 2022-23 season, Gibraltar must overcome a slight deficit from the first leg if they wish to secure promotion at the first attempt.

Gibraltar missed out on automatic promotion by a single point to San Marino, despite achieving a 1-0 victory over the Group D1 champions on their home ground.

However, a 1-1 draw in San Marino and ties both at home and away against Liechtenstein proved detrimental to their chances of automatic promotion.

The team, ranked 202nd in the world, did not perform well in last year’s World Cup qualifying series, losing all eight matches and finishing last in a group that included Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Faroe Islands, and Montenegro.

The narrow loss to Latvia represented Gibraltar’s 11th consecutive defeat since they recorded a 1-1 draw with Moldova in November 2011.

With a deficit to recover, the visitors will approach Tuesday’s second leg aiming for their first victory over Latvia since a 1-0 win in a friendly match back in March 2013.

Team News

Assuming there are no new injury concerns, Nicolato might opt to maintain the same starting XI for Latvia that achieved success in the first leg in Gibraltar.

This would see the hosts line up with a defensive trio of Daniels Balodis, Antonijs Cernomordijs, and Roberts Veips.

Gutkoxis will be eager to continue his impressive form internationally, having netted three goals in his last five games for his country.

For Gibraltar, 18-year-old defender Kai Mauro is a possibility if Scott Wiseman decides to make changes to his defence for the second leg.

James Scalon, currently on loan at Swindon Town from Manchester United, is expected to remain on the left flank as he aims to add to the two goals he has scored at the international level.

Meanwhile, Dylan Borge will be looking to secure a starting role over Jaiden Bartolo in the competition for the number nine position.

Latvia probable starting XI:

Matrevic; Pigeon, Cernomordy, Veip; Jurkoxis, Vapne, Zelenkox Ciganiks; Ikaunieks, Varslavans, Gutkoxis

Gibraltar probable starting XI:

Hankins; Richards, Lops, Bent, Mauro, Valarino; Del Rio, Pozo, Torrilla, Scanlon; Borges