Latvia vs Albania Predictions & Tips – Albania to Return to Winning Ways in the World Cup Qualifiers

Vedran Ostojic

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Last updated: 09 Jun 2025

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Vedran Ostojic 09 Jun 2025

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Albania have a more experienced squad compared to Latvia
We are backing the visitors to win and maintain 2nd place
Check our full preview for Latvia vs Albania below

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Albania are backed to beat Latvia (Getty Images)

Latvia vs Albania Preview

Albania looked well-organized on Friday against Serbia, missing a penalty in a goalless draw. I will back them to bounce back to winning ways and beat underdog Latvia on Tuesday.

Latvia vs Albania Preview
Stats
HTH
Latvia Form
Albania Form
Team News
Predicted Starting Lineups

Stats

Latvia have lost 5 of their last 9 matches.
Albania have won 1 of their last 2 matches.

HTH

This is going to be the sixth head to head match between Latvia and Albania, all five ending without a winner so far.

The most recent match was in September 1999, ending in a 3-3 draw.

Latvia Form

Latvia have kicked off their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign by collecting three points from two matches.

Their first appearance was on 21st March against Andorra, claiming a 1-0 road victory with Dario Sits finding the net in the 58th minute.

They didn’t offer a lot of resistance at Wembley three days later, suffering a 3-0 defeat against number one favorites to qualify England.

Last weekend, Latvia locked horns against Azerbaijan in a friendly match which ended without goals. They had 48% possession and 9-6 shots in this clash.

Albania Form

Albania had a disastrous run in the UEFA Nations League B where they were relegated in late 2024, while the World Cup Qualifiers started with one win and one loss in March.

The Red and Blacks were beaten in the first round in England 2-0, having 0.06-1.58 expected goals, just 26% possession and zero shots on target.

Albania bounced back three days later and defeated Andorra 3-0 in front of the home crowd, Rey Manaj scoring a brace in the first half, Myrto Uzuni finishing the job later.

They hosted Serbia on Friday evening in Tirana, Rey Manaj missing a penalty in the first half and game ending in a goalless draw. The Albanians had 1.08-0.53 xG, 44% possession and 10-8 shots in that match.

Team News

Defender Roberts Savalnieks and Roberts Uldrikis are injured for Latvia, while Dario Sits was not called up this time. Janis Ikaunieks has the most appearances for the national team on this roster (66) while also being the top scorer (12 goals).

Enea Mihaj was not called up for Albania this time. Lazio’s Elseid Hysaj has the most appearances on this roster (90), while Rey Manaj is the top scorer with 10 goals.

Predicted Starting Lineups

Latvia: Zviedris, Jurkovskis, Cernomordijs, Balodis, Savalnieks, Saveljevs, Zelenkovs, Ciganiks, Jaunzems, Ikaunieks, Gutkovskis

Albania: Strakosha, Hysaj, Ajeti, Ismajli, Mitaj, Asllani, Shehu, Broja, Laci, Hoxha, Manaj

Verdict

Latvia v Albania

Latvia are one of the underdogs in this group, and I think Albania have a more experienced squad and greater overall quality. The Red and Blacks looked solid defensively against Serbia, so I can see them edging out the Latvians on Tuesday.

Albania Win

Full-Time Result

@4/6 - 2 Units

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Albania Win 1-0

Correct Score

@5/1 - 1 Unit

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