Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s friendly clash between Gibraltar and Moldova, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Fresh from concluding their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League group-stage campaigns, Gibraltar and Moldova will meet for an international friendly on Tuesday evening.
Gibraltar are currently top of Group 1 of League D in the Nations League and have secured at least a spot in the promotion playoffs, while Moldova have cemented their spot at the top of Group 2 of League D to earn promotion.
Match preview
Gibraltar won one and drew three of their four matches in Group 1 of League D in the 2024-25 Nations League, with a total of six points leaving them at the top of the section, two points clear of second-placed San Marino.
San Marino meet Liechtenstein on Monday, and the latter would finish at the summit with a victory in that contest, with Gibraltar then having to take part in a promotion playoff in order to secure a spot in League C.
It is out of their hands, though, and Gibraltar’s focus will currently be on a friendly against Moldova, which represents the chance to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches.
Julio Cesar Ribas‘ side have not lost since a 2-0 reverse to Scotland back in June, notably drawing with Wales in one of their six matches since, and they will now be looking to end the year on a positive note.
© Imago
Moldova are also top of their UEFA Nations League group, picking up nine points from four matches, having won three times and lost once in Group 2 of League D.
The section will conclude on Tuesday, when Malta host Andorra, but Moldova’s spot at the top of the group has already been confirmed, with the team therefore gaining promotion to League C.
Serghei Clescenco‘s side will enter this game in excellent form, having been victorious in four of their last five matches in all competitions, with their only defeat during that run coming away to Malta last month.
Moldova have also won three of their last four friendlies, including a 1-0 success over San Marino in September, and they will also be bidding to finish what has been a successful 2024 on a positive note.
Gibraltar friendly form:
Gibraltar form (all competitions):
Moldova friendly form:
Moldova form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Gibraltar were on the verge of beating San Marino on Friday night, only for a last-gasp Nicola Nanni to cancel out a penalty from Liam Walker, who found the back of the net for the seventh time in a Gibraltar shirt last time out.
Walker is again expected to feature in the number 10 position for the home side here, while Tjay De Barr should play as the centre-forward, looking to add to the three goals that he has scored an international level.
Manchester United teenager James Scanlon should also be a notable starter for Ribas’ side in this contest.
As for Moldova, Ion Nicolaescu made it 16 goals for his country with a strike against Andorra on Saturday night, and the Heerenveen forward is again set to feature in the final third of the field.
Virgiliu Postolachi has only managed one goal for his country but is again likely to be named in a forward area.
Vadim Rata is the captain, with the 31-year-old in line to win his 53rd cap for his country in this international friendly, while Andrei Motoc will be hoping to be given the chance to make his debut at some stage of the contest.
Gibraltar possible starting lineup:
Banda; Jolley, Lopes, Annesley, Olivero; Scanlon, Torrilla, Pozo, Britto; Walker; De Barr
Moldova possible starting lineup:
Celeadnic; Craciun, Baboglo, Mudrac; Platica, Caimacov, Rata, Motpan, Reabciuk; Nicolaescu, Postolachi
We say: Gibraltar 1-1 Moldova
Both of these sides will enter the match in impressive form, and we are finding it difficult to pick a winner. Moldova will be the favourites, but Gibraltar are in a good place at the moment, and we are backing a low-scoring draw in the friendly fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
