Latvia vs Cyprus - UEFA Nations League

The UEFA Nations League returns to the home ground on September 28, 2026, where Latvia and Cyprus will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Real have been keen to sign the Spain captain from Manchester City, but they now face competition from Barcelona for the 30-year-old, who has a year remaining on his contract at the Etihad.

Both camps will view the UEFA Nations League meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. It has been a torrid run for the hosts, WWLDL in their last five and a season win rate of just 0% that has the alarm bells ringing. The visitors have been enduring a wretched campaign, WDWLL in their last five and a season win rate of just 16.67% that leaves them deep in trouble. The contrast in attacking output — 0.33 versus 0.83 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Larson’s long-term plans have attracted renewed attention following teammate Alex Bowman’s recent announcement that he intends to retire from full-time Cup Series competition at the end of the 2027 season.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Latvia may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Cyprus have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. The winner came from a rare counter-attack by the new-look Spurs side, who defended well throughout with Andy Robertson making his first start and Jan Paul van Hecke on debut, as they battled to secure another win in pre-season.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. Whoever wins the individual duel between the two sides' chief playmakers is likely to dictate the rhythm and, ultimately, the destination of the points. The ex-AC Milan midfielder superbly set up Ait-Nouri's opener before he restored City's lead with a fine low finish across goal from Semenyo's inventive backheel assist.

Current market odds — Latvia at 2.6200, the draw at 3.3200, Cyprus at 2.7700 — point to a competitive affair. With the prices so tightly bunched, the bookmakers are hedging their bets — and so should the rest of us. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 1-1. With positions in the UEFA Nations League table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.