Latvia vs Albania Prediction: Away side can get a clean sheet

Latvia host Albania in Group K of the Uefa World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday (19:45), as the pair battle it out to try and advance to the play-offs. England are in pole position to top the group having won three out of three and you have to think Thomas Tuchel’s men won’t throw this qualification group away from here. 

With Serbia also involved, it makes the race for second very interesting indeed. Below you can find my Latvia vs Albania predictions. 

Football Odds

Team News

Latvia are likely to continue with their 3-5-1-1 system, with Raivis Jurkovskis, Antonijs Cernomordijs and Daniels Balodis a solid back three that manager Paolo Nicolato can rely on. Latvia kept a clean sheet last time out against Azerbaijan but will hope for more attacking thrust at the top end of the pitch. 

Alvis Jaunzems, Janis Ikaunieks and Vladislavs Gutkovskis could all be handed starts in the final third as they try to break down this Albanian defence.

Meanwhile Albania drew 0-0 with Serbia on Saturday and the majority of that side will remain unchanged. Sylvinho continues to impress in the dugout and he should start a back four of Elseid Hysaj, Arlind Ajeti, Ardian Ismajli and Mario Mitaj.

Along with Chelsea striker Armando Broja, the Lazio full-back is arguably their most well-known player, but there’s lots of quality littered throughout this side. Rey Manaj is set to partner Broja up front in this 4-1-2-1-2, with Qazim Laci the creator-in-chief. 

Latvia vs Albania Odds

Latvia are 9/2 to win this game, while Albania can be backed at 8/11. That gives the away side an implied win probability of 58% while a draw is available at 12/5.

If you fancy goals, Manaj leads the first goalscorer market at 4/1, while over 2.5 goals is 11/8 and BTTS is 5/4. 

Albania to win to nil @ 7/5

Albania should be able to get the job done against a Latvia outfit that seriously struggles going forward. The hosts have only scored three goals in their last seven outings, winning just one of those against Andorra. They’ve lost home and away to North Macedonia in that period, and there’s some red flags all over the pitch for me - making them unlikely candidates to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Albania have slightly more experience and quality at both ends of the pitch, and they’ve won two of their last five matches without conceding. There’s also been a 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic in there for good measure, and Sylvinho’s men have looked like a decent defensive outfit in recent months. Away win to nil.

Scorecast - Broja to score first and Albania to win 1-0 @ 18/1 

I think this is going to be a very narrow away win based on the lack of goals for both teams. As I’ve already mentioned, Latvia struggle to score on a regular basis, so Albania should be able to nick this. When it comes down to backing a first goalscorer, I am going to lean in favour of Broja, given he is the player Albania turn to in key situations. 

Still only 23, the Chelsea man will hope for plenty of gametime in the upcoming season - or he may be looking at a move away from Stamford Bridge. In terms of this game, he should be able to find the net against this defence - having got five goals for his country already.

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