Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Andorravs.Moldova

sportsmole.co.uk, 14 November 2024, 18:59
Moldova can boost their hopes of securing promotion from League D Group 2 in the UEFA Nations League when they face fellow European minnows Andorra at Estadi Nacional on Saturday.

These two nations are among the six-lowest ranked teams in Europe, with Moldova placed 150th in the FIFA World Rankings and 20 positions higher than Andorra (170th).

Match preview

Andorra ended a 20-game winless streak that lasted for just over two years when they beat the world's lowest ranked nation San Marino 2-0 in a friendly last month.

The Tricolours had previously lost both of their opening Nations League games against Malta and Moldova, losing 1-0 at home to the former and 2-0 away against the latter.

Head coach Koldo Alvarez - who has managed 125 games as Andorra boss since February 2010 - sees his side sitting rock bottom of League D Group 2, and the prospect of securing promotion is slim, as they must win their final two fixtures to stand a chance of making it into the promotion playoffs.

Success on Saturday could prove challenging for Andorra, though, as they have only won one of their last nine meetings with Moldova - a 1-0 home victory in Euro 2020 qualifying five years ago.

Moldova, who have won their last two encounters with Andorra by an aggregate score of 4-1, are on course to secure promotion back to League C for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign having accumulated six points from their first three games.

Two 2-0 home wins over Malta and Andorra means that they sit top of League D Group 2 on goal difference and they will all but guaranteed promotion as group winners if they beat the latter for a second time on Saturday.

Serghei Clescenco's side won three games on the spin, including a 1-0 friendly success in September, before suffering a slender 1-0 loss away against Malta in their most recent Nations League fixture last month - not since November 2022 have Moldova lost back-to-back games in any competition.

While Moldova's home form has been impressive (W5 D3 L1) - albeit facing several nations of a similar quality - their away form leaves little to be desired, as they have come out on top in only four of their last 31 internationals on the road, which should provide Andorra with a slight boost ahead of hosting Saturday's contest.

Andorra Nations League form:

L

L

Andorra form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

W

Moldova Nations League form:

W

W

L

Moldova form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

L

Team News

Andorra's 23-man squad includes eight players with at least 50 caps, including 120-cap Marc Pujol, who scored against San Marino last time out and at the ripe old age of 42 is in contention to start as captain in midfield alongside 97-cap Marc Vales.

Albert Rosas was also on target in Andorra's last match and will be hoping to retain his place up front, with support potentially provided on the flanks by Joan Cervos and Alex Martinez.

As for Moldova, defender Ioan-Calin Revenco and midfielder Serafim Cojocari have both been forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

Maxim Cojocaru scored his first international goal at the 24th time of asking in Moldova's home win over Andorra and he will be pushing to start in attack with Heerenveen striker Ion Nicolaescu, the nation's all-time record scorer with 16 goals in 47 caps.

Andorra possible starting lineup:

Alvarez; Nicolas, Llovera, C. Garcia, Olivera, M. Garcia; A. Martinez, Pujol, Vales, Cervos; Rosas

Moldova possible starting lineup:

Celeadnic; Platica, Craciun, Mudrac, Babohlo, Reabciuk; Caimacov, Rata, Stina, Ionita; Nicolaescu

We say: Andorra 0-1 Moldova

Fixtures between two European minnows tend to be low-scoring affairs and another is set to be in store on Saturday, although Moldova will be regarded as slight favourites and will back themselves to claim a slender victory to strengthen their hopes of promotion to League C.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk History could be in the making on Wednesday night when fourth-tier AS Cannes welcome Reims to the Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France. 31 March 2025 talksport.com Viktor Gyokeres is a complete striker who will guarantee Arsenal goals in abundance - something fellow target Benjamin Sesko cannot offer. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha has taken to social media to declare his immediate commitment to the Premier League club. 31 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool and Everton will both be out for more than just bragging rights in the second Merseyside derby of the season this midweek. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has provided a positive fitness update on Chris Wood ahead of Tuesday's Premier League fixture against Manchester United. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur will look to make amends for the disappointing defeat they suffered at Fulham before the international break when they make another trip across London to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday night. 31 March 2025 talksport.com Andoni Iraola hasn't 'done enough' to justify leaving Bournemouth for the manager hotseat at Tottenham. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be bidding to avoid ending a 103-year streak in Tuesday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka is available following a hamstring injury. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Everton are set to remain without wide pair Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil for the short trip across Stanley Park to face Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool could be forced to start Jarell Quansah at right-back once again when they welcome Everton to Anfield for the Merseyside derby in the Premier League on Wednesday night. 31 March 2025 talksport.com A brand new football competition is here as some of the sport's legends combine with famous faces for six-a-side action. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool and Everton lock horns in the Merseyside derby for the second time in two months when the two long-standing rivals go head-to-head at Anfield in the Premier League on Wednesday night. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Vitor Pereira has played down Matheus Cunha's comments regarding his future at Molineux. 31 March 2025 talksport.com A Serie A star was forced to address a bizarre injury that has been compared to a 'zombie bite'. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool youngster Ben Doak is reportedly wanted by local rivals Everton ahead of the summer transfer window. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton has claimed that the club are "well protected" from the outcome regarding the striker Liam Delap. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool duo Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott are reportedly admired by Newcastle United as the summer transfer window approaches. 31 March 2025 talksport.com Everton manager David Moyes hasn't stepped foot in their new stadium and won't until one thing in particular is completed. 31 March 2025 talksport.com The Premier League action roars back into action after the international break - and talkSPORT has you covered. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will seemingly have to remain patient to find out who will complete their group at the Club World Cup. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham manager Marco Silva has claimed that Arsenal will have an "advantage" for Tuesday's Premier League meeting at the Emirates Stadium. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly contemplating whether to rival Manchester City in the race for a Serie A goalkeeper. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to claim three more points as they thrive for a spot in the Champions League, Manchester City will host Leicester City at the Etihad on Wednesday night in the Premier League. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City are expected to make a number of attacking alterations to their side ahead of a daunting clash with Manchester City in the Premier League on Wednesday night. 31 March 2025 talksport.com Antony continues to impress on loan from Man United, with one Real Betis player joking about how they can keep hold of him. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are set to be without the talents of Erling Haaland for Wednesday night's Premier League visit of Leicester City. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to boost their chances of a Champions League finish, Manchester City will welcome Championship-bound Leicester City to the Etihad on Wednesday night for a Premier League clash. 31 March 2025 talksport.com Shrewsbury Town's proposed takeover has fallen through, plunging the club into turmoil. 31 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea return to action on Thursday night when they play host to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Fri 04 Apr, 18:45
A
Genoa Genoa
-
sch
Udinese Udinese