- Vardar have won 4, drawn 0 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches in all competitions (W4, L1).
- Riga FC have won 4 of their last 5 competitive games (W4).
- Riga have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their 4 away games in all competitions, scoring 6 goals (average 1.50 per game).
Vardar v Riga to face off in UEFA Conference League Qualification
In this Vardar v Riga preview, there is a lot to like about the two sides who will face off at Todor Proeski Arena, North Macedonia, on Wednesday, with both in strong form and well drilled.
Vardar have won 8, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their 10 competitive matches so far in 2026, coming into this game on a home record of 5 wins and 1 loss across all competitions. That run included a fine 3-0 home win over FK Shkendija 79 and an excellent 2-3 extra-time win away to Finnish side KuPS Palloseura in UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Fabbiani's men have gone 5 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss in 6 home games in all competitions, conceding just 4 goals during that run, and appear to be a team that are really hitting a stride. Vardar are starting to take more risks, pressing higher up the field and playing a more attacking game with the ball.
Riga FC have won 8, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their 10 matches in all competitions in 2026, so this FK Vardar Skopje vs Riga FC prediction should prove a tough challenge for Vardar on Wednesday. They come into this matchup with 4 wins from their last 5 and on a current run of 2 consecutive victories, which includes a 3-2 home win over FC Ararat-Armenia in UEFA Champions League qualifiers and a 3-1 win at home to Tukums 2000 in the Virsliga 2026.
Adrian Gula's men will line up in a high-tempo, attacking game, with full-backs who like to get forward and stretch the opposition, while their high pressing game has seen them force plenty of mistakes high up the pitch recently.
Vardar are a team on a mission
Vardar are a little harder to get a handle on as a side since Cristian Fabbiani has only been at the club since 1 July 2026, but it appears that the Argentine has made some clear adjustments to their game that have made them a more dangerous proposition.
While Riga are a well drilled side who will look to strangle Vardar's build-up play, Vardar are more of a blank canvas, having transitioned from a compact, organised, tough to break down team to a more fluid and attack minded team in the last few months under Fabbiani's direction.
Goran Zakaric has been the danger man for Vardar so far this term, having netted 4 of their 8 goals in the last 5 competitive matches, and he should lead the line in this tie, while Riga will look to their full-backs to provide width and danger in the final third.
Best play of the game - Draw no bet
For this matchup, Riga are a strong, organised team who have every chance of upsetting their Macedonian opponents, however, the value in the draw no bet line is too big to ignore, with Vardar coming into this tie on the back of 4 wins from 5 and looking like a side with momentum.
The odds reflect a slight edge towards Vardar here with the Macedonians 1.91, compared to 3.76 for Riga and 3.9 for the draw, and we think there's a good chance the double chance bet on Vardar comes in.
Our Vardar vs Riga betting tips favour the draw no bet line, while the result is likely to be close, however, with Riga looking a tough nut to crack.
