Andorra (172nd in the FIFA world rankings) kick off their UEFA Nations League D (UNL) campaign against Malta (161st), with all six nations in League D guaranteed promotion at the end of the cycle due to the competition changing format from 2028.
Match News and Current Form
Andorra have never played above League D in the UNL, finishing bottom of a three-team group in the 2024/25 season after failing to win any of their four games (D1, L3). Long-serving boss Koldo Álvarez has not been able to inspire any sort of improvement since then, with his side’s only victory in their last 15 outings coming via a 2-0 success in June’s friendly against Liechtenstein (D3, L11). Whilst promotion into League C for the 2028/29 UNL campaign is guaranteed, the Tricolours will at least seek to feel they have earned it by securing top spot of the group for the first time, an unlikely feat for a nation with two UNL wins in their entire history (D9, L11).
Malta endured a turbulent 2024/25 UNL campaign which was upended by a managerial change and ended with them losing their promotion-relegation play-off 5-0 over two legs against Luxembourg, after they finished second in Group D2 six points ahead of Andorra. Emilio de Leo has been in charge since January 2025, losing nine of his 14 games in charge including both legs of that play-off (W3, D2), though one of his victories did come during their last outing - a June friendly against Azerbaijan (2-0). They go into this cycle as the highest-ranked side in Group D1 and a favourite to top the group in mid-November.
Head-to-Head History
Andorra are winless in the six H2Hs to date (D4, L2), including four UNL meetings (D2, L2).
Hot Stats and Streaks
None of Andorra’s last seven games saw both teams score.
Andorra committed a League D-high 20.8 fouls per game on average during the 2024/25 UNL campaign.
Seven of Malta’s last ten victories were by a one-goal margin.
Malta took a joint-League D low nine corners during the 2024/25 UNL campaign.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Eric Izquierdo has been booked three times in his last six appearances for Andorra, with all three cautions received in the first half. Malta’s Irvin Cardona has enjoyed a blistering start to the season at club level, recording eight goal involvements in seven games for Ligue 2 side Saint-Étienne (G4, A4).
Andorra appear to boast a clean bill of health, while Malta are without Joseph Mbong here through suspension and have not been able to call up Alejandro Garzia due to injury.
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Betting Analysis
As the sides feel their way into this UNL campaign, H2H history suggests a draw would not come as a huge surprise.
Author: Ben Olawumi