Both winless from their opening two games, Andorra and Liechtenstein will do battle in the third round of UEFA Nations League fixtures on Friday.

The hosts put their first point on the board with a draw last time out, while their visitors will aim to bounce back from consecutive defeats.

Match preview

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After a tough World Cup Qualifying campaign, in which they amassed just six points courtesy of a pair of wins over San Marino, Andorra were in action for the first time in 2022 in a pair of friendlies against St Kitts and Nevis and Grenada.

They were able to post consecutive 1-0 victories before returning to action in June to kick off the new UEFA Nations League campaign with a trip to Latvia.

The Tricolors were unable to make a positive start, as a Roberts Uldrikis brace and a Janis Ikaunieks goal saw them condemned to a 3-0 defeat in Riga.

Koldo Alvarez's men then took on Moldova in their second game last time out, and, despite their opponents being reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half time, they could not find a decisive goal and were forced to settle for a point after a stalemate.

On the back of that disappointing start, the Tricolors will look to put a first win on the board to stretch their lead over Friday's opponents.

Liechtenstein, meanwhile, will make the trip looking for a first point after consecutive defeats to start the campaign.

They headed into the 2022 Nations League campaign looking for a first win since 2020, having failed to pick up a victory from any of their previous 18 attempts in all competitions, including a tough World Cup Qualifying run.

The Blues-Reds began with a contest against Moldova on home turf and fell to a 2-0 defeat, as Ion Nicolaescu put their visitors ahead from the penalty spot inside the first five minutes before Vadim Bolohan confirmed all three points with a goal in injury time.

Looking for a first point, Martin Stocklasa's side travelled to Latvia last time out, and, despite keeping the scores level for 70 minutes, they were eventually beaten 1-0 with Arturs Zjuzins hitting the decisive goal.

Those results have seen Liechtenstein immediately sit at the foot of League D1, and they will be keen to post a result on Friday to ensure they are not cut adrift at the halfway mark of the campaign.

Team News

Andorra defender Ildefons Lima, who leads his nation's all-time charts for caps and goals with 133 and 11 respectively at the age of 42, was left on the bench for the clash with Moldova, and he will be pushing to break back into the starting XI on Friday.

Midfielders Sergi Moreno and Cristian Martinez are notable absences from the squad, leaving Xavier Vieira, Marcio Vieira and Jordi Rubio to play key roles in the centre.

Despite scoring just two goals in 49 caps for his country, Manchego attacker Jordi Alaez is somewhat of a fixture in the front line and could again partner Ricard Fernandez.

Yanik Frick will lead the Liechtenstein line, while 20-year-old brother Noah Frick could also make a return to the lineup having made a positive start to his international career.

Switzerland-based winger Nicolas Hasler will again don the captain's armband, while Aron Sele is a key man in the engine room.

Andorra possible starting lineup:
Gomes; De Pablos, Lima, Llovera, Garcia, Cervos; X Vieira, M Vieira, Rubio; Alaez, Fernandez

Liechtenstein possible starting lineup:
Buchel; Malin, Wolfinger, Grunenfelder; Graber, Sele, Beck, Netzer; Hasler, Y Frick, N Frick

We say: Andorra 2-1 Liechtenstein

The two sides will come in with dented confidence following their tough starts, but we just give the edge to the hosts, who have shown themselves to be slightly more capable on the continental front.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Sam Varley

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