Moldova vs Malta prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League D betting tips on match 2024-09-06 16:00.
[p]After missing out on promotion to Group C on goal-difference during their last UEFA Nations League (UNL) campaign, Moldova begin their mission to escape Group D with a home clash against Malta in Chișinău. This will be the ninth meeting between the countries, with Moldova likely to feel confident considering their strong H2H record so far (W4, D3, L1).[/p]
[p]In spite of an unbeaten home record in their 2024 UEFA European Championships Qualifiers (W1, D3), there were no Euros for the Tricolours this summer and this game will be their first since a 4-0 thrashing by Ukraine in June. That defeat was their first at home since 2022, and manager Serghei Cleșcenco will be targeting another strong run in Chișinău to build on his steady progress from February 2022 onwards which has seen Moldova’s FIFA ranking rise from #181 to #152.[/p]
[p]Contrastingly, Malta have not reached such heights since June 2015 and are currently ranked #172 after winning just two games since November 2022 (D3, L11) and none since a 1-0 victory over Gibraltar in September last year (D2, L6). Those two draws came in their opening games of 2024, but any optimism was soon extinguished by back-to-back defeats in June – including a 7-1 loss to Czechia.[/p]
[p]Notts County winger Jodi Jones declined a call-up for those June friendlies, and he won’t be featuring in this squad either. Malta could’ve utilised Jones’ attacking prowess as they look to be promoted from Group D at the fourth time of asking, but with three clean sheets from their last four UNL away games (W2, D1, L1), a solid defence is very often the bedrock of their success. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Attacking midfielder Victor Stînă has five goal contributions (G2, A3) for Moldova, all as a substitute at home, although he will surely be pushing for a starting berth after scoring and assisting within 14 minutes of coming on against Cyprus in June! Malta have scored in only four of their last 11 games but Joseph Mbong is usually their action man, as in three of those games he either scored, assisted or received a red card![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Malta have scored a first-half goal in just one of their last 22 matches.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]