Preview: Latvia vs. Wales - prediction, team news, lineups

The bottom two sides in Group D meet at the Skonto Stadions in Riga on Monday, when Latvia host Wales in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Latvia are still pointless in the section, while Wales have been massively disappointing and have a mountain to climb if they are to get back into contention.

Match preview

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Ever since reaching Euro 2004, with 2010 World Cup qualifying being a notable outlier, Latvia have consistently struggled.

While finishing fourth and fifth was commonplace, Latvia are now in great danger of becoming one of the continent's whipping boys.

Nine defeats from their last 11 Euro qualifying home games illustrates their recent struggles, and zero points from their opening four games of this campaign has them out of contention already.

A 5-0 thrashing in Rijeka at the hands of Croatia on Friday night was the lowest point of the campaign so far, one which has been full of late heartbreak.

June's internationals saw Latvia stung at the death twice, losing in Armenia thanks to an injury-time penalty, and a rollercoaster of emotions against Turkey which saw them equalise in the 94th minute but still fall to defeat.

It has not been the qualifying section the Latvians were hoping for, especially after such a positive UEFA Nations League campaign.

Latvia finished top, earning promotion to League C after four wins and a draw from their six group matches, and that came after a decent 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign which saw them beat Gibraltar home and away, and claim draws at both Norway and Montenegro.

Form has since fallen off a cliff though, and the same can be said about upcoming opponents Wales.

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After making three of the last four major tournaments, Wales are now in serious danger of missing next summer's Euros.

A win in the reverse tie against Latvia on the opening matchday remains Wales' only win in 13 internationals.

A disastrous June saw Rob Page's side lose a lot of ground in Group D, mainly due to a shock 4-2 defeat at home to Armenia, which was followed up by a loss in Turkey.

Taking just one point from their six Nations League matches last year and a group-stage exit at the World Cup was the start of Wales' spiral.

Despite that though, a draw between Turkey and Armenia on Friday was a slice of good fortune, so they now must capitalise.

Wales are six points behind Turkey, who are favourites to finish second, and still have a game in hand and still have to face the Crescent Stars at home.

Team News

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Vladislavs Gutkovskis will be a huge miss up front for Latvia, as one of Rakow Czestochowa's main men from last season is out injured.

The striker scored eight goals in the World Cup qualifiers and Nations League campaigns, while Roberts Uldrikis has been goal shy of late, with just one goal in over 12 months.

Janis Ikaunieks is in good form at RFS following a decent spell in Finland, having contributed to 15 goals in 15 games so far this season in Latvia.

Ikaunieks RFS's teammates Arturs Zjuzins and goalkeeper Pavels Steinbors have both withdrawn from the squad, and Raivis Jurkovskis is also out injured.

Luton Town skipper Tom Lockyer is a last-minute casualty in the Wales squad ahead of their trip to the Baltics.

Daniel James has been left out by manager Page, with Swansea City's Liam Cullen potentially in line for a debut.

Aaron Ramsey is one of the last men standing from the old guard which has been so successful with Wales, and he should captain the side here.

Latvia possible starting lineup:
Purins; Savalnieks, Cernomordijs, Dubra, Sorokins; Jaunzems, Emsis, Tobers, Ciganiks; Uldrikis, J Ikaunieks

Wales possible starting lineup:
Ward; Roberts, Rodon, Mepham, B Davies, Williams; Ramsey, Ampadu, Wilson; Johnson, Moore

We say: Latvia 0-1 Wales

Latvia look dead and buried already in the section, so Wales must take advantage to get themselves back among the sides challenging for the top two.

Their last win outside of Wales came almost two years ago in Estonia, so they must end that barren run here if they want to stay in contention, and they may just have enough despite recent form.


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