Prediction: Latvia vs Serbia

Verdict: Total away goals over 1.5

Best odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: 888sport

Level on four points apiece in Group K of World Cup 2026 qualifying, Latvia and Serbia square off at the Daugava Stadium in Riga on Saturday afternoon.

While the two nations share the same tally, Serbia edge ahead on goal difference, boast a game in hand, and arrive in Latvia on the back of an encouraging unbeaten run.

Latvia

Latvia’s Group K campaign has already seen them tested by heavyweights England, but Paolo Nicolato’s men responded with two credible results on either side of that defeat, overcoming Andorra before sharing the spoils with Albania.

That 1-1 draw on June 10 proved particularly eventful for defender Antonijs Cernomordijs, who endured a rollercoaster evening by conceding an own goal, netting the equalizer and collecting a yellow card that now sidelines him through suspension.

Latvia’s tally of four points from nine leaves them fourth in the section, one point adrift of Albania with a game in hand, and within striking distance of playoff contention should they prevail this weekend.

Saturday’s contest will be the first senior meeting between Latvia and Serbia, although their U21 sides have faced off four times, three of which ended level before Serbia’s 2-0 triumph in 2007.

Team News

Cernomordijs has still been named in the squad and will return against Albania, but as for this match, his absence opens the door for 33-year-old Vitalijs Jagodinskis to deputise, while Aberdeen defender Kristers Tobers misses out through injury.

Serbia

Having secured their UEFA Nations League status via a March playoff success, Serbia have only contested two World Cup 2026 qualifiers to date, yet they enter September brimming with confidence.

Dragan Stojkovic’s men edged Austria 3-1 on aggregate to stay in League A, then banked four points from six in June by shutting out both Albania and Andorra. A dull 0-0 with the former was quickly followed by a commanding 3-0 triumph over the latter, where Aleksandar Mitrovic fittingly struck a hat-trick on his 100th cap.

That result not only put Serbia one point behind Albania in third with two games in hand, but also stretched their unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers to 11 since 2017, while their current streak across all competitions stands at six matches.

Team News

Mitrovic, now close to sealing a move to Al-Rayyan after ending his stint with Al-Hilal, leads the line as usual, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic expected to partner him. Midfielder Sasa Lukic is also in line to feature, though goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic has excused himself to settle in at Napoli, handing Bournemouth’s Djordje Petrovic a potential start.

Conclusion

Missing the suspended Cernomordijs at the back and short of a clinical edge in attack, Latvia are unlikely to cause Serbia major problems in Riga.

While the hosts may look to frustrate with numbers behind the ball, the strike partnership of Mitrovic and Vlahovic should eventually wear them down and produce at least two goals, and Stojkovic’s side are well placed to collect a straightforward three points.

Verdict: Total away goals over 1.5

Best odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: 888sport