There have been six meetings between Albania and Latvia since 1992

Albania’s World Cup hopes rest on dislodging the clear top two in Group K, with England and Serbia leading the way. Those two are set to face off on Tuesday night, so this home clash with Latvia is a golden opportunity for the hosts.

Albania are two points shy of second-placed Serbia, having held them to a 0-0 draw at home in June. The home side have been fairly low-scoring this year, with their 3-0 victory over Andorra the only one of their previous five matches to feature more than two goals.

The Albanians have kept three clean sheets across their last five games, while they meet a Latvia side who are struggling going forward. The visitors have scored only twice across their first four matches. Latvia posted a non-penalty xG of just 0.32 in the home meeting between the two, so Albania should be good for another clean sheet.

Despite already visiting England and hosting Serbia, Albania have conceded 3.1 xG across their first four qualifiers. Back them to shut down Latvia in a vital home win.

Albania vs Latvia Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• There have been six meetings between Albania and Latvia since 1992, all of which have ended in draws.
• Latvia have scored two goals in their qualifying campaign so far. Only last-placed Andorra (0) have netted fewer in Group K.
• Neither side has a World Cup appearance to their name.
• Only group leaders England (8) have scored more qualifying goals in Group K so far than Albania’s four.
• Latvia are ranked 137th in the latest FIFA rankings and sit some distance behind their midweek opponents in 68th place.

Predicted line-ups

Albania (3-5-2): Strakosha, Balliu, Hysaj, Kumbulla, Mitaj, Asllani, Shehu, Laci, Broja, Manaj, Hoxha.

Latvia (4-5-1): Zviedris, Jagodinskis, Balodis, Cernomordijs, Jurkovskis, Ciganiks, Varslavans, Penkevics, Saveljevs, Zelenkovs, Gutkovskis.