- FK Vardar Skopje have won four and lost one of their last five matches, including a 3-0 home win over FK Shkendija 79 and a 2-3 away win (AET) at KuPS Palloseura.
- Riga FC have also won four of their last five fixtures, including a 3-2 win at home to FC Ararat-Armenia in UEFA Champions League qualifying.
- Vardar's home record across all competitions stands at 5 wins, 0 draws and 1 defeat from six games, while Riga FC have 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat away from home.
Tempo and pressing to rule in Skopje
FK Vardar Skopje take on Riga FC in UEFA Conference League qualification at Todor Proeski Arena in North Macedonia on Wednesday, and it should be a interesting game between two sides with a similar amount of momentum behind them.
Vardar, who are 91/100 favourites for this match according to the bookies ahead of Riga FC at 69/25 and the draw at 29/10, have been in very good form recently, winning eight, drawing one and losing one of their last ten across all competitions.
Their only slip-up in the last month was a 0-2 defeat at home to KuPS Palloseura in UEFA Champions League qualification, but they responded with a real spirit to grab a 2-3 away victory in the return leg.
Cristian Fabbiani has only been in charge since 1st July 2026, but he has quickly imbued his side with a new proactive edge as they continue to define their identity. Vardar still have the compact, organised base to fall back on when needed, but they are playing more freely and flexibly under the new regime and look a good unit.
Goran Zakaric has been their main man up front in the final third, scoring four of Vardar's eight goals in their last five, while the visitors are also very strong and balanced.
Adrian Gula has been in place since 14th January 2025, and his high-tempo, pressing game has kept Riga in good shape and caused plenty of problems for their opponents.
The visitors are on a two-game winning streak, having beaten FC Ararat-Armenia 3-2 at home in UCL qualifying and Tukums 2000 3-1 in the Virsliga 2026.
That should lead to an intriguing match-up as Riga will try to smother Vardar's build-up, while the hosts will seek to survive their press and hit in transition.
Riga's full-backs will stretch the game and allow them to cause problems in the wide areas while Vardar will use their forwards to pinch and press in the opposition half.
That could lead to an end-to-end match, which would suit the Latvian side as they will have more possession on the ball.
But with Vardar arriving in such good form, a Vardar win or draw in the double-chance market is the best fit for this clash, although the fact that Riga FC have scored six goals away from home at an average of 1.50 goals per game tells us that this will be no easy wager.
We're expecting the hosts to edge this clash as they are a bit more clinical up top and the fact they will have the home crowd behind them. But we also like the draw here as the numbers suggest we're in for a tight contest.
