Wales will be looking to build on their unlikely draw with Croatia on matchday one when they
take on Latvia in Euro 2024 qualifying on Tuesday night.
Wales vs Latvia: Tuesday, 19:45
Suggested bets
- Wales vs Latvia draw
- Wales vs Latvia under 2.5 goals
Key stats
- Wales have not won in nine games since they qualified for the World Cup, losing six
- Wales have scored just twice in five games
Previous matches:
- Friendly: Latvia 0-2 Wales, August 2004
Wales vs Latvia – Verdict
Wales started life without Gareth Bale with a morale-boosting 1-1 draw with Croatia at the weekend. Substitute Nathan Broadhead marked his debut with a dramatic last-gasp equaliser against the World Cup semi-finalists.
Wales’ youthful squad is very inexperienced but Rob Page selected 11 players who had featured at the World Cup and was rewarded with a draw.
Wales were under the cosh for large spells and had the crossbar to thank for not going 2-0 down in a game in which Luka Modric ran the show. But Wales hung in there and grabbed an unlikely point which they must now follow up with a win.
There is more than 100 places between these two in the FIFA World Rankings, but Latvia (133) have belied their position in recent matches.
A draw with 63rd-ranked Iceland and a narrow defeat to the Republic of Ireland (48) means they look like they have been punching above their weight.
Wales are 2/9 shots and expected to get the job done, but there will be pressure on the hosts in Cardiff and Latvia have shown they can be dangerous.
And Wales will not need any reminding about Latvia’s neighbours Estonia denting Wales’ push for 2022 World Cup qualification by holding out for a goalless draw in Cardiff in September 2021.
Latvia have scored in their last five games, including the 3-2 defeat in Dublin where they pegged Ireland back to 2-2 before eventually losing. Latvia managed 50% possession in that game and they may well be looking to do similar at the Aviva Stadium.
They also showed an ability to shoot from range and Wales will have to be switched on and get themselves up again after their heroics in Split.
