How Can We Oppose The Worst Team In Europe: Lame Liechtenstein

Which international side is the worst in Europe? According to the FIFA World Rankings, that would be San Marino (210th). However, a San Marino win over Liechtenstein at home and then away nearer the end of 2024 should go some way to convincing you that Liechtenstein (204th), Europe’s fourth-smallest country spanning 62 square miles, is, in fact, the worst footballing nation the continent has to offer.

In an alpine country that boasts ten Olympic medals, all coming from downhill skiing, seven of which originate from one family, there’s no wonder the national football team flatters deceive on any given international qualification stage.

Betting against bad teams sounds like a trustworthy strategy when approaching the international break. Is there any way to eke out value in a Liechtenstein fixture where their opponents are priced at 1.11? Sam Ingram gives it his best shot.

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

Stepping Up To Euros or World Cup Qualification Exposes Liechtenstein’s Level 

With a population of just over 40,000 in a doubly landlocked micro-state in the central European Alps, the difficulty of becoming a footballing nation with any real clout is evident from the get-go. The talent pool is miniscule. 

Liechtenstein’s football clubs operate in Switzerland. There is no footballing pyramid within Liechtenstein similar to what we’re so blessed to have in England. The country’s football association cannot pluck its best young talent from a structure they oversee.

So, it’s no surprise to see Liechtenstein struggle when stepping up a level against nations above their standard, like during the 2023 qualifiers for the Euros: ten losses from ten, 28 goals conceded & one goal scored. That solitary strike was an absolute screamer, too.

The gulf in class against the bigger, well-coached, capable nations is evident. The standout result from the Euro qualifiers that offers a glimpse into how Liechtenstein can be picked apart at will was when Iceland, who finished fourth in a six-nation group, came to town. The 0-7 scoreline didn’t flatter the visiting team, with 27 shots to two – one of which was a speculative shot from the halfway line in the opening minute of the fixture. 

The Icelandic hammering followed a semi-respectable 4-0 loss in Portugal, in which Liechtenstein mustered 18% possession while conceding 35 attempts and six big chances.

These types of scorelines are to be expected. Liechtenstein should struggle at this level. Still, from a betting point of view, their struggles might present an opportunity.

North Macedonia Up First In An Uphill World Cup Charge

This is a huge game for North Macedonia – fail to get a result over the line here and you have absolutely no chance of muscling into the top two in the World Cup qualifying group. That makes me think that North Macedonia might threaten to rack up a score here.

The recent Nations League campaign for North Macedonia was brilliant, proving their trustworthiness away from home in Europe: Six games, five wins, and one goal conceded. After the 1-1 vs Latvia in their first game, North Macedonia steamrolled through five straight matches without conceding, winning in each. 

Their opponents, Liechtenstein, the worst international side in Europe, were turned over by San Marino (1-3!) in their own backyard in their respective Nations League campaign. That was San Marino’s first ever away win. Liechtenstein are the only nation to have ever lost to San Marino, falling to defeat in both encounters in 2024 and once in a friendly a decade ago in 2004.

You should get the jist by now. This is a team to oppose. Will Liechtenstein continue to struggle in front of goal as they did when attempting to qualify for Euro 2024? They’ll concede goals at a rate of knots. If their opponents can keep the hosts at bay, then the proposed selection will certainly have legs.

With the bet builder function, there might be a way we can carve out an opportunity. Liechtenstein to fail to score? Check. Liechtenstein’s opponents to score more than once? Check. 

North Macedonia to score 2+ and 4+ without reply at 1.72 and 4.00? That will do. Check.

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