Latvia vs Israel Prediction & Tips
Currently in the bottom of Group G after two defeats in their first two games (P2), Latvia(# 133 in the FIFA ranking) receives Israel (# 84) in the Daugavas Stadium, which will be the third official match between both cast on Latvian soil (E1, P1). The local team faces an uphill battle as it has only one win in total in its last two qualifying campaigns (World and European Championship – G1, E1, P8).
It should be noted that the only victory at home during that period was against a team that had a worse ranking than them like Andorra (# 134). In fact, the local cast has not even managed a draw in any match against a better-ranked opponent than Israel since they scored a goalless draw against Slovakia (# 32) in 2016 (since then – P9 with 2.44 goals conceded per game). on average).
On the contrary, the European campaign of Israel began with everything as it records a victory and a draw in its first two games. Despite the fact that both results came as local, Israel has not been able to win just two of their last ten away games against opponents who have a worse FIFA ranking so far this decade (G8, E2).
Generally effective against lesser rivals, Israel won by at least a two-goal margin in five of the eight aforementioned victories despite having to work more than expected on more than one occasion to get all three points. Four of those wins ended with goals from both sides, including a 2-1 win over Latvia in that span.
Players to watch: Valerijs Sabala scored both in the first and second half in the only official win for Latvia at home from 2011 to date (not counting the Baltic Cup matches).
After scoring in three of his last four club-level games (Guangzhou), Eran Zahavi has also scored four of Israel’s five goals in his first two qualifying matches on the way to Euro 2020.
Statistics to consider: Latvia received two goals against in seven of the last nine defeats suffered against teams with better ranking than Israel. In five of those games they scored at least three times.
Three of the four official matches ended with goals from both teams.
Israel has scored an average of 2.4 goals per game in the ten away games that it has played against lower ranked rivals.
Latvia – Israel FREE TIPS
Israel – Win @ 2.00
Both teams to score / YES @ 1.80
Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.90
