Moldova vs Malta Prediction: Improving Tricolorii to see off the Reds

League D of the 2024/25 Nations League contains some of Europe’s weakest sides such as San Marino and Liechtenstein, but those teams are in Group D1 and there is more quality to be found in Group D2. Moldova are an improving side who missed out on promotion to League C in the last Nations League due only to Latvia’s superior goal difference, and the upper level will be in their sights once again.

Tricolorii will be targeting a perfect start when Malta visit Stadionul Zimbru on Saturday and the hosts should get their wish against a poor side. Read on for my Moldova vs Malta prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Nicky Clesenco is injured meaning Moldova’s star forward Ion Nicolaescu will be flanked by Vitalie Damascan and Nikita Motpan for this clash.

Seventy-one-cap Artur Ionita will be hoping to start but may have to settle for a place on the bench as he is yet to find a club following his departure from Pisa, meaning he is likely to be lacking match-fitness.

Jake Vassallo and Mathias Ellul have been drafted in as potential replacements for retired Malta defender Ferdinando Apap.

Yannick Yankam and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli are back after missing June’s friendlies but Luke Montebello remains out and Notts County star Jodi Jones has refused another call-up.

Moldova vs Malta Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Moldova vs Malta page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Moldova are 8/11 favourites for this clash, with Malta the outsiders at 4/1 and the draw available at 12/5.

Both teams to score seems an unlikely winner given Malta’s struggles in front of goal of late but can be backed at 6/5, with a similar price of 11/8 available for over 2.5 goals.

Nicolaescu is the favourite to score first on Saturday, with the Moldovan striker 9/2 to net the opening goal in Chisinau.

Moldova to win @ 8/11

After four wins, one draw and one loss in the last Nations League, Moldova may be feeling disheartened to still be in the competition’s lowest division.

However, they are likely to turn that hurt into motivation and can begin the 2024-25 edition with a home win over Malta, who are winless in eight matches and have struggled on the road lately.

The Reds have lost their last four away matches by an aggregate score of 14-1 and have won just two of their last 13 on the road, with those victories coming against San Marino and Luxembourg.

Moldova, in contrast, have picked up some solid recent results. Tricolorii took four points off Poland in Euro 2024 qualifying while draws with Austria, Albania and Czechia, all of whom featured in Germany alongside the Poles, highlight how they can mix it with the best on their day.

Given that Malta were thrashed 7-1 by the Czechs in a recent meeting, there is clearly a huge gulf between the pair and it could pay to back the hosts to open with a win on Saturday.

Ion Nicolaescu to score any time @ 15/8

Heerenveen forward Ion Nicolaescu has a respectable record of 15 goals in 45 caps for his national team and, following a strong start to the season, he looks set to build on that against a Malta side who have shipped at least two goals in seven of their last 10 away games.

Nicolaescu signed off from domestic duty with a brace in just 25 minutes against NAC Breda, the perfect preparation for a tournament he clearly enjoys having netted four in six games in the 2022/23 Nations League.

Moldova’s talisman has netted three of his nation’s last seven home goals and is a prime candidate to net against Malta on Saturday.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Nations League game on Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on any Nations League game on Sunday.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.