TIPS - Serbia VS Latvia

[(Serbia) Strength]:
1. The two teams have faced each other only once, with Serbia winning 1, drawing 0, and losing 0, giving them a psychological advantage.

[(Serbia) Neutral]:
1. Serbia can no longer directly qualify through the top two in the group but may still secure a playoff spot via the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League ranking, pending other results.
2. Ivan Ilic's position will be taken over by Lazar Samardzic. The forward line will still be led by Dusan Vlahovic as the lone striker, rather than Luka Jovic.

[(Serbia) Weakness]:
1. Torino midfielder Ivan Ilic suffered a knee injury and was substituted after 39 minutes in the midweek match, confirmed to be rested for this game. The team's all-time top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to be sidelined due to injury.
2. In terms of recent form, Serbia have lost 3 of their last 4 matches, indicating poor recent performance.
3. Serbia have conceded 9 goals in their last 5 matches, averaging nearly 2 goals conceded per game, showing poor defensive performance.
4. Serbia have scored only 4 goals in their last 5 matches, averaging less than 1 goal per game, indicating weak offensive firepower.

[(Latvia) Neutral]:
1. Andrejs Ciganiks' position may be filled by Maksims Tonisevskis, who scored an own goal against England last month. Antonijs Cernomordijs' position will be taken by Vitalijs Jagodinskis, who plays in Cambodia.

[(Latvia) Weakness]:
1. Latvia have been completely eliminated early, trailing second-placed Albania by 9 points and England by 16 points, and will continue to wait for their first World Cup main tournament appearance since independence.
2. Starting left-back Andrejs Ciganiks and captain center-back Antonijs Cernomordijs are both suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.
3. In terms of recent form, Latvia have failed to win any of their last 8 matches, raising concerns about their current state.
4. Latvia have conceded 9 goals in their last 5 matches, averaging nearly 2 goals conceded per game, showing poor defensive performance.
5. Latvia have scored only 2 goals in their last 5 matches, averaging less than 1 goal per game, indicating weak offensive firepower.
6. In their only recent encounter, Latvia scored 0 goals and conceded 1, being inferior in both attack and defense.

[Tips]:
Serbia currently lead Latvia in the standings and naturally hope to extend their advantage.

Comparing the recent form of both teams, Serbia has lost 3 of their last 4 matches. On the other hand, Latvia have failed to win any of their last 8 matches.

Looking at the head-to-head record, Serbia hold the upper hand.

AH market provided home team a -1.5/2 line to back Serbia, who are stronger overall.

Thus, we expect Serbia to score a perfect win this time.

[Recommended]:
Serbia (-1.5/2)