Armenia have gone winless for over a year — can the run end in Yerevan: Armenia vs Latvia prediction
The opening-round clash of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League between Armenia and Latvia will take place in Yerevan on September 25. Both teams are beginning a new campaign in League C: the hosts are trying to break out of a prolonged results crisis, while Latvia, under Paolo Nicolato, have gradually learned how to cause problems even for stronger opponents.
Armenia: seven matches without a win, but key players remain available
Armenia last won on September 9 last year, beating Ireland 2-1. Since then, the team have gone seven games without a victory, while their World Cup qualifying campaign ended with a last-place finish in a group featuring Portugal, Ireland and Hungary. The 1-9 defeat by Portugal was particularly painful.
The results did not improve over the summer either: Armenia lost 1-2 to Belarus and drew 1-1 with both Kazakhstan and Moldova. At the same time, Eduard Spertsyan, Ugochukwu Iwu and Nair Tiknizyan remain at the team’s disposal, while young players Artyom Bandikyan and Artur Garibyan should provide additional options.
Latvia: the defence has become stronger, but consistency is still lacking
Under Paolo Nicolato, Latvia look more organised than before. In World Cup qualifying, the team drew 1-1 with Albania and twice put up a respectable fight against Serbia — losing 0-1 and 1-2 — while they retained their place in League C after a playoff against Gibraltar.
The results at the Baltic Cup were mixed once again: a defeat by Lithuania on penalties after a 1-1 draw, followed by a 0-1 loss to the Faroe Islands. A key feature remains a fairly disciplined defence: aside from the matches against England, most opponents are unable to score heavily against Latvia.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Armenia are winless in seven consecutive matches.
- Armenia scored at least two goals in three of their last five head-to-head meetings.
- Armenia have won three of their last five matches against Latvia.
A year without a win could end right now: Armenia vs Latvia prediction
The hosts’ main problem is obvious — their defence. Armenia have not kept a clean sheet since 2022, and their current absences make the task even more difficult. However, against Latvia, the team have been handed one of those matches where the quality of Spertsyan, Iwu and Tiknizyan can provide a genuine advantage.
Latvia are comfortable when they can sit back and play on the counter, but against opponents of a similar level, they find it significantly harder to take the initiative and create the game themselves. Therefore, despite the hosts’ problems, the home advantage and their superior individual quality could prove decisive.
