Riga FC vs BFC Daugavpils Match Preview

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Top of the table Riga FC face BFC Daugavpils in what should be an entertaining Virsliga fixture on Friday night. Riga FC have 12 points and are aiming to keep their unbeaten run at home while the Latgale side are aiming for an upset. BFC Daugavpils have taken the league by surprise and are undefeated in their first five league matches with 11 points.  

Daugavpils & Riga FC players clash in last season's encounter
Image Source: Riga FC Facebook Page

The Rīdzinieki have been solid at the back this season as they have had four clean sheets in five matches. Ghanaian defender Baba Musah has been the major factor in Riga's solid backline as he has a fantastic average pass accuracy rate of 95%. 21-year old left midfielder Eduards Dašķevičs is a player to watch as  many Latvian football fans have high hopes on him for the future. He is a quick and technical player who is very good with the ball with a successful dribbling rate of 82% in the Virsliga. Up front Riga FC have Marko Regža who is scoring goals for fun as he is the top scorer in the league with a whopping six goals in five matches. 

Marko Regža celebrates his goal vs FK Liepāja
Image Source: Riga FC Facebook Page

Regža will have his work cut out as he is up against Daugavpils keeper Frenks Dāvids Orols who is on loan from RFS. Orols is currently having a successful loan spell as he has three clean sheets in four league games. Forward duo Aleksej Golijanin (on loan from RFS) & Barthélemy Diedhiou who both joined the club this year, have been vital in Daugavpils early success in the league. Former Lille Academy player Diedhiou has scored twice and has an assist, while Bosnian forward Golijanin has two goals and two assists in the league.

Raivis Skrebels celebrates with a fan after beating Tukums 3-1
Image Source: Tonybet Virsliga

Despite Daugavpils having lost to Riga FC in their previous eight Virsliga matches, this match could be different as they have had a great start to the season. A 1-1 draw against RFS last weekend proved that Daugavpils means business as an upset isn’t unlikely. Riga FC manager Simo Valakari said that he is "really excited" to face BFC Daugavpils as he adds that they can defend as well as being dangerous with the transitions.

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