Riga and Jablonec will seek to use this UEFA Conference League clash in Latvia to move on from domestic disappointments at the weekend with a first league phase victory of the season.
Match News and Current Form
A first main draw Conference League win still eludes Riga (D2) but they’ve made history by becoming the first Latvian club to go unbeaten across their first two games in major European competition. That might temper some of their disappointment after a late penalty miss clouded Sunday’s frustrating goalless draw at Ogre United as rivals RFS secured the Latvian top-flight title. With league glory now out of reach, Adrián Guľa’s side can focus fully on Europe, encouraged by being unbeaten across their last nine competitive home games (W6, D3).
Jablonec might welcome a change of scene as they arrive in Latvia on the back of a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Slavia Prague. Their first league phase victory (D1, L1) would be the perfect tonic for that heavy loss, with Luboš Kozel’s side trying to build on a creditable 0-0 draw with Brighton on matchday two. They’re now winless across their last seven games in this competition (D4, L3) and although winning their last two away domestic league matches might serve as a confidence boost, they’ve never won a Conference League proper fixture away from home (D1, L3).
Head-to-Head History
This is the first meeting between these two sides. Riga’s only experience against Czech opponents came against Sparta Prague in Conference League qualifying last term (W1, L1). That victory came at home, while Jablonec beat Riga’s city rivals RFS home and away earlier this season.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Riga’s last four European fixtures produced at least one goalless half.
Four of Riga’s five European home games this term witnessed scoring before the 20th minute.
Seven of Jablonec’s eight Conference League main draw fixtures were level at half-time.
Jablonec conceded 2+ goals in each of their last three Conference League proper away matches (D1, L2).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand has been involved in both of Riga’s league phase goals (G1, A1), and three of his last five strikes came after the 65th minute. Antonín Růsek scored for Jablonec against Freiburg on matchday one (L 3-2), a game which ended a six-match winning streak when he scored.
Riga appear to have no fresh injury concerns. Jablonec could be without captain Nemanja Tekijaški, who missed the Slavia game due to injury and goalkeeper Jan Hanuš, who was forced off during that match.
Betting Analysis
Riga have drawn both of their league phase games, while Jablonec drew against Brighton on the last matchday, so backing the draw stands out as a possible option here.
Author: John Pennington