- Riga FC are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions (W8, D2).
- FC Ararat-Armenia have only lost once in their last five matches (W4, L1).
Riga FC looking to qualify to 2026 UEFA Champions League
This game will be a contest between two sides looking to reach the 2026 UEFA Champions League and, although they are the slight favorites, Riga FC will be going to Football Academy Stadium in Armenia full of confidence.
The Latvians have gone ten games without defeat in all competitions (W8, D2), including a fine 2-0 victory away to FK Auda yesterday. They have won three and drawn one of their four road games across all competitions, hitting 2.25 goals per game on average, and there is no doubting the momentum that Adrian Gula has built up since taking over the club on the 14th January, 2025.
Gula employs a high-tempo, possession-based style with either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape that is built to overload the wide areas and win the ball back high up the pitch. They have the sharpest front line of the two sides and that could be crucial in a game of this nature.
Tulipa’s men to make a tough contest
Mohamed Badamosi has netted four of Riga FC's 12 goals in their last five and is the main man in the final third for the visitors.
Ararat-Armenia have a similarly impressive record over their last ten games across all competitions (W7, D2, L1) and are no easybeats. But they still have a taste of that 0-4 home defeat to FC Noah Artsakh a few weeks ago and the memory of that has to still be fresh in the minds of the players.
Since taking charge of Ararat-Armenia earlier this year, Alexander Tulipa has set up the club in a pragmatic structure-first, sit deep and counterattack game plan.
Tulipa's side have won four and lost one of their last fi ve games, so there is a good chance that this game will be an all-out UEFA Champions League qualifying scrap.
Riga FC to nick it
They have a decent home record of four wins, one draw and one defeat in six matches in all competitions, so the hosts will not be pushed around. But Riga FC enter this match at 67/50 against Ararat-Armenia at 42/25 and the draw at 243/100 and with the sharp edge of form on the visitors' side, we are backing the away side to nick it here.
A Riga FC win and Under 2.5 goals looks the most likely script, while Both Teams to Score - No at 93/100 looks very appealing in this fixture.
