After losing 3-0 to Latvia last time out, Andorra will be pleased to return to home surroundings for a UEFA Nations League contest with Moldova.

While their opponents started the current edition of the Nations League with a heavy defeat, Moldova began the campaign with an away win against Liechtenstein.

Match preview

Having finished bottom of their League D group in the opening two editions of the Nations League, European minnows Andorra would have been hoping to start the current campaign on a positive note.

However, any semblance of optimism was quashed inside nine minutes of their League D opener after Roberts Uldrikis gave Latvia an early lead.

Andorra managed to keep their opponents from adding another until the 77th minute when Uldrikis grabbed his second goal of the game before Janis Ikaunieks wrapped up the points from the penalty spot.

As a result of the defeat to Moldova, Monday's hosts have lost their last four Nations League games by an aggregate 13-1 scoreline.

Although their recent record in the competition makes for tough reading, Andorra can take comfort from the fact that they have won three of their last five home internationals.

Moldova, meanwhile, are looking to earn promotion after being relegated from League C in the previous edition of the Nations League.

One point from six League C games condemned Moldova to the bottom tier of the competition, but their promotion bid got off to a flying start thanks to a 2-0 away victory over Liechtenstein on Friday.

Ion Nicolaescu got the visitors up and running by dispatching his spot-kick in the fifth minute, and although the lead remained a slender one for the majority of the contest, Vadim Bolohan struck in stoppage time to make sure of the three points.

Incidentally, the result represented Moldova's first competitive victory since a 1-0 win over Andorra in June 2019.

The result also gave Monday's visitors their first away win since November 2018, and they will be hoping to clinch another positive result on Monday before they return home for a contest with Latvia and the reverse fixture against Andorra.

Team News

Despite conceding three goals against Latvia, Koldo Alvarez could opt once again for a back five, although there could be a slight alteration to the defensive line, with Joan Cervos expected to drop into left-back after featuring in midfield against Latvia.

The space vacated by Cervos in midfield could be filled by Andorra's second-highest appearance maker Marcio Vieira, who came off the bench in Thursday's 3-0 defeat.

At the top of the pitch, Jordi Alaez is expected to continue his forward partnership with 19-year-old striker Albert Rosas.

As for the visitors, Dorian Railean will retain his place in the Moldovan goal after making only his second international appearance in the 2-0 win over Liechtenstein.

Following the victory in their Nations League opener, Moldova are expected to keep changes to a minimum for Monday's encounter, although Dmitri Mandricenco may come into the side to replace Marius Iosipoi.

After scoring from the penalty spot on Friday, Nicolaescu is set to retain his place in the forward line.

Andorra possible starting lineup:
Gomes; Rubio, Garcia, Llovera, Jimenez, Cervos; Rebes, Vales, Vieira; Alaez, Rosas

Moldova possible starting lineup:
Railean; Revenco, Posmac, Bolohan, Armas, Reabciuk; Rata, Platica, Caimacov, Mandricenco; Nicolaescu

We say: Andorra 0-1 Moldova

Although Andorra emerged victorious from the most recent contest between the two sides, Moldova will take encouragement from the fact that they won three consecutive games against the Tricolors prior to Andorra's 1-0 victory in October 2019.

While the hosts struggled in their Nations League opener, Moldova would have been buoyed by their win over Liechtenstein, and we think that the visitors will use the confidence gained from that result to claim a narrow victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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