The fourth place in the tournament table has usually been a bit slippery for the European challengers, because according to the UEFA ranking tables, the four quotas due to Latvia for the qualification tournaments were divided among the three best teams of the Premier League and the winner of the cup. The Latvian Cup was often won by one of the top three, so the fourth team of the league also got a ticket, but after hears the “rules” of the final game of the Victory Cup won by the footballers on Wednesday have changed – the door to Europe with all the consequential financial bonuses next year will remain closed for the winners of the fourth place.
At first glance, the tournament table might seem that RFS’s position in the third place is quite safe and last year’s champions should rather look for opportunities to climb higher, rather than watch out for followers. True, the performance of the team led by Viktor Moroz, fighting on three fronts at the same time, has dropped sharply at the end of the season. Before stumbling in the cup final, the team dropped points in two games against teams at the bottom of the table, and also played the most unimpressive match of the Conference League group stage in Istanbul. Even more, in the last three rounds of the Premier League championship, RFS must play against the leading teams Valmiera FC (30.X), FK Liepaja (6.XI) un Riga FC (12.XI), but between them there are two “shows” on the European stage against Hearts (27.X) one Fiorentina (3.XI). If it weren’t for the wide circle of leaders from Riga, the physical tests will continue. Fairly difficult tasks in the last rounds also await Liepāja’s players, who will be tested on Sunday by FK, which is on an emotional high. Wetbut then a meeting with the tenacious Tukmeni (30.X), as well as RFS (6.XI) and Valmiera (12th XI) teams.
No sharp turns are expected in the title race this weekend, unless Valmiera and Riga FC footballers will not stumble in away games.
