Before the UEFA Nations League (UNL) restructure, Gibraltar will commence their final campaign in League D by hosting Andorra, who opened their campaign with a disappointing home defeat against Malta.
Match News and Current Form
Gibraltar have shown glimpses of progression in this competition, spending one cycle in League C back in 2022/23 before immediately dropping back down again. The abolishment of League D for the next UNL cycle means that Gibraltar will be returning to League C whatever the outcome is in this group, but hopes will be high of moving up on a high note after going unbeaten in the last UNL campaign (W1, D3). Only an unsuccessful 2-0 play-off loss to Latvia denied them a return to League C, but Gibraltar seem to be a nation on the up under new boss Scott Wiseman, who is yet to lose a game since taking the job on a permanent basis in June (W2, D1).
Andorra began their new UNL journey in tremendous fashion when taking the lead against Malta, only to succumb to their 12th defeat from their 16 matches played since the end of the previous UNL cycle (W1, D3). It was their sixth consecutive UNL match without victory (D2, L4) and probably thwarted their chances of finishing at the top of the group, with a 25-game winless run outside of Andorra (D6, L19 including neutral venues) doing them no favours in their endeavours to bounce back here. Knowing their only two wins since the start of 2023 came against Liechtenstein and San Marino, the other two UEFA nations joining Gibraltar outside the top-200 of FIFA’s rankings, this matchup appears their only avenue to victory in this UNL edition.
Head-to-Head History
Gibraltar are unbeaten against Andorra (W2, D1) and have never conceded a single H2H goal.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only two of Gibraltar’s last 11 matches saw both teams score.
Six of Gibraltar’s last nine defeats were by a one-goal margin.
Just three of Andorra’s last 25 matches saw both teams score.
Only two of Andorra’s last ten UNL games were decided by a 2+ goal margin.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Arsenal under-21 player James Scanlon impressed for Gibraltar during the summer with goals in two friendly wins - four of his last five senior goals arrived in the first half. Following his strike against Malta, both of Guillaume López’s international goals for Andorra saw him open the scoring in the 17th minute of a defeat.
Gibraltar’s Louie Annesley misses out through injury, while Andorran centurion Marc Vales wasn’t called up.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
The head-to-head history and the recent trends of these sides all point towards backing against both teams to score.
Author: Aaron Murphy