Vardar vs Riga Prediction 22 July 2026
🔊 On Wednesday, Vardar host Riga at the Toše Proeski National Arena in Skopje in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Conference League. Both sides dropped down from the Champions League after narrow first-round exits, so there's no shortage of frustration to work with.
Head-to-Head
📊 Vardar and Riga have never met before - this is their first match against each other.
Head-to-head statistics Vardar - Riga
Vardar Skopje Team Overview
Vardar won the domestic title, which earned them a spot in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. There they ran into Finnish side KuPS. At home, the Macedonians were beaten without a fight - 0-2 - but the away leg turned into a wild shootout. They won 3-2 in extra time, but 3-4 on aggregate wasn't enough to go through.
That's how they ended up in the Conference League. The Macedonian season hasn't started yet, so the KuPS games are all there is to go on. The team clearly takes a while to find their rhythm, but there's no shortage of character. Attack is decent enough - Omeragić and Zakarić look sharp - but the defence has been leaking badly under the workload.
Match Results: Vardar Skopje
Riga Team Overview
Riga came into European competition as the reigning Latvian champions. In the Champions League qualifiers, they drew Ararat-Armenia - a tough opponent. They lost the first leg away 0:2 and picked up a red card. Back home, they went all out, put in a strong performance and won 3:2, but it wasn't enough on aggregate (3:4) and they dropped into the secondary competition.
Unlike their opponents, Riga are currently in peak physical condition. The Latvian league is in full swing - 23 rounds already played. Just days ago, they comfortably beat Tukums at home 3:1, scoring all three in the second half. This is a well-drilled, high-energy side with no issues around match sharpness - which is more than can be said for the Balkan side.
Match Results: Riga
⭐ Editor's Prediction
Both Vardar and Riga just got knocked out of the Champions League, and both managed to score three goals in their second legs. The Latvians are in good form right now, their domestic season is in full swing, so they'll have the legs to push forward and open up the Macedonian defence. Vardar, backed by their notoriously loud home crowd, won't sit back either. They'll go looking for goals. With both sides stronger in attack than defence, three goals between them shouldn't be a problem. Our bet: total goals over 2.5, predicted score: 2:2.
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Betting Tips: Vardar Skopje - Riga
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