On Tuesday, Moldova will play host to Andorra in a UEFA Nations League contest, with both teams currently level on four points.
The home side are looking to bounce back following a 4-2 defeat to Latvia, while Andorra are aiming to clinch back-to-back victories.
Match preview
© Reuters
After being relegated from League C in the previous Nations League campaign, Moldova's return to League D got off to a perfect start, beating Liechtenstein 2-0 to open their account in style.
However, they missed out on the chance to claim consecutive victories after playing out a goalless draw against Andorra in a contest that saw Moldova play the second half with 10-men following Victor Stina's red card.
A home encounter against group leaders Latvia followed, and Moldova gained the upper hand in the fifth minute thanks to Ion Nicolaescu's spot kick, but goals from Vladislavs Gutkovskis and Janis Ikaunieks ensured that the hosts trailed at half time.
Gutkovskis found the net for a second time after the break, and though Nichita Motpan pulled a goal back for Moldova, Ikaunieks's second strike of the contest condemned the hosts to their first defeat of the campaign.
The result also represented Moldova's sixth consecutive home defeat, which will do little to lift spirits ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Andorra.
© Reuters
As for the visitors, they have responded well after losing 3-0 to Latvia on the opening matchday of the Nations League.
A goalless draw against Tuesday's opponents got their campaign up and running before they received a confidence boost after edging out Liechtenstein.
Koldo Alvarez's side had to wait until the 78th minute to open the scoring, with Jordi Alaez dispatching his spot kick before Chus Rubio doubled their advantage only four minutes later.
Liechtenstein managed to find the net in stoppage time, but it proved to be too little too late as Andorra held firm, giving them their third victory in their last five matches.
Friday's win may do little to inspire confidence ahead of Tuesday's contest as Andorra have lost 14 of their last 18 away internationals.
- W
- D
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- D
- L
- L
- D
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
- D
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Despite losing to Latvia, Serghei Clescenco is expected to keep changes to a minimum for Tuesday's contest.
The only alteration that could be made may occur in midfield, with Motpan set to be rewarded with a starting spot after coming off the bench to score against Latvia.
Nicolaescu scored his second goal of the Nations League campaign on Friday, and the 23-year-old is expected to retain his place in the frontline.
Andorra, meanwhile, will be without the services of Marc Vales who missed the win over Liechtenstein through injury, after limping off in the first half against Moldova on matchday two.
Albert Alavedra returned to the lineup to replace Vales, and the 23-year-old is expected to keep his place in the side, with Andorra set to name an unchanged starting XI.
That would see Albert Rosas retain his place up front, with the 19-year-old looking to score his first international goal.
Moldova possible starting lineup:
Railean; Posmac, Armas, Bolohan; Revenco, Motpan, Caimacov, Rata, Reabciuk; Nicolaescu, S. Platica
Andorra possible starting lineup:
Gomes; Rubio, Llovera, Alavedra, Rebes, Cervos; Alaez, X.Vieira, Pujol, Bernat; Rosas
We say: Moldova 2-1 Andorra
Despite playing an entire half with 10 men, Moldova dominated possession in the reverse fixture between the two sides, enjoying double the amount of shots as well, and we think that if they can keep all 11 players on the pitch then the hosts will utilise home advantage to edge out Andorra.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
