2026-2027 Nations League: Latvia vs. Montenegro, Probable Lineups

The 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League continues. On Friday, at Skonto Stadium in Riga, Latvia hosts Montenegro in a match valid for Matchday 3 of Group 2 in League C. The hosts are looking for a win to boost their standing, while the visitors aim to maintain their perfect record and solidify their first-place position in the group.

Latvia, led by Paolo Nicolato, enters the match with just one point from the first two matchdays. In their last match, the Latvian team was unable to break the deadlock in a 0-0 home draw against Cyprus, in a game marked by offensive struggles. In fact, the team failed to hit the target and has gone three consecutive matches without scoring a goal.

Overall performance has also been lackluster for Nicolato’s squad, which has secured just two wins in its last 15 matches across all competitions. Their recent record at Skonto Stadium isn’t particularly positive either, as Latvia has suffered five losses in their last ten home games.

The situation is quite different for Mirko Vucinic’s Montenegro, which leads the group with 6 points in two matches. After their opening-match victory over Cyprus, the “Falcons” also defeated Armenia in a hard-fought 3-2 win, thanks to Latkovic’s game-winning goal in the 89th minute.

Nicolato is expected to field a 3-5-2 formation, with Matrevics in goal and a defensive trio of Melniks, Cernomordijs, and Cirkin. In midfield, Emsis will play in front of the defense, flanked by Zelenkovs and Vapne, while Savalnieks and Ciganiks will occupy the wide positions. Up front, the starting duo will be Gutkovskis and Uldrikis.

Vucinic is expected to stick with a 4-4-2, with Popovic in goal and Roganovic, Duric, Savic, and Gasevic forming the back line. In midfield will be Loncar and Jankovic, with Vukovic and Bulatovic on the wings. The attacking duo will consist of Osmajic and Krstovic. For Stefan Loncar, this will be his 30th appearance for the national team.

Probable lineups:

LATVIA (3-5-2): Matrevics; Melniks, Cernomordijs, Cirkin; Savalnieks, Zelenkovs, Emsis, Vapne, Ciganiks; Gutkovskis, Uldrikis. Head Coach: Paolo Nicolato.

MONTENEGRO (4-4-2): Popovic; Roganovic, Duric, Savic, Gasevic; Vukovic, Loncar, Jankovic, Bulatovic; Osmajic, Krstovic. Head Coach: Mirko Vucinic.