Serbia vs Latvia

Excitement in Leskovac is building as Serbia prepare to host Latvia on Sunday, 16 November 2025 at Stadion Dubočica, with kickoff set for the early evening. This is Serbia’s last chance to stay alive in the World Cup qualifying race, and the atmosphere around the national team reflects just how decisive this match has become.

Team availability has become a major talking point in Serbia. Ivan Ilić is expected to miss out because of a knee problem, leaving a noticeable gap in midfield. There are also concerns surrounding Dušan Vlahović, who has been dealing with a back issue and remains doubtful to start. Latvia, by contrast, arrive with a clean bill of health, giving their staff the flexibility to rely on their usual first-choice core.

Veljko Paunović enters this match under intense pressure, having taken over the Serbia job only recently. He has spoken publicly about simplifying the structure, focusing on defensive discipline, controlled buildup, and teamwork as the foundation for this game. With key players out, he may be forced to use younger options and rely more heavily on transitions. Latvia are expected to sit deep in a compact shape, aiming to frustrate the hosts and look for moments on the counter.

Coverage in Serbia throughout the week has centered on the urgency of the situation. Local press question whether Paunović has had enough time to stabilize the team, while also stressing that Serbia must take control early to prevent tension from creeping into the match. Latvian media, meanwhile, adopt a more practical tone: expectations are modest, with discussion focused on defensive organization and taking advantage of any Serbian mistakes.

Television analysts ahead of kickoff largely lean toward Serbia having the upper hand. Their arguments emphasize Serbia’s superior talent, home support, and the motivation of needing a result to keep their campaign alive. Still, many pundits caution that Serbia’s inconsistency and injury problems leave room for danger, and they note that Latvia have played with discipline throughout the campaign. Even so, the majority sentiment is that Serbia should be capable of claiming the points if they maintain control and limit errors.