Riga Backed to Beat Vardar Again
Riga bring a 3-2 first-leg lead home against Vardar and head into the return match on a four-game winning streak. With Vardar forced to chase the tie despite defensive concerns, Riga look well placed to complete the double.
By 7MTHScore StaffRiga host Vardar in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie early on Wednesday. After winning away in the first leg to seize the initiative, Riga return home full of confidence about beating the same opponent again.
Riga are in excellent form, having won four straight matches in all competitions. Their attack has been firing on all cylinders during that run, with the team scoring three goals in each game, and they are expected to keep that attacking approach here. Although they were narrowly eliminated 4-3 on aggregate by Alashkert Armenia in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, they have shown plenty of competitiveness since dropping into the Conference League. In the first leg, they won 3-2 away thanks to a combined three goals from Orlando Galo and Reginaldo Ramires, and back on home soil they look well placed to complete a double over Vardar.
Like Riga, Vardar also dropped into the Conference League second qualifying round after being knocked out in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. However, they were unable to turn home advantage into a positive result in the first meeting between the sides. Vardar had taken the lead in the first half, but major defensive problems were exposed and they eventually lost 3-2. Now facing Riga in Latvia in the second leg, Vardar have no room for error and will surely have to push forward aggressively, but their shaky defence could be breached again. Striking the right balance between attack and defence will be their biggest concern in this trip.