Aiming to extend their successful start to World Cup qualifying, Finland will visit Lithuania on Monday evening, for the second game of their Group G campaign.
While the Finns edged past Malta on the opening matchday, their hosts held Poland for almost 90 minutes before becoming the latest victims of a goalscoring superstar.
Match preview
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Despite conceding most of the ball to their opening opponents – and facing 24 shots – Lithuania were only beaten by a sole Robert Lewandowski strike on Friday.
Poland’s inspirational captain finally found the net after 81 minutes in Warsaw, ending the visitors’ hopes of a shock result to start their latest World Cup qualifying campaign.
Having shipped 16 goals in their previous six qualifiers for FIFA’s global finals, even such a slim defeat represents some progress for a team expected to struggle in Group G, which will also feature either Netherlands or Spain.
Relegated to the UEFA Nations League’s lowest tier at the end of 2024, without claiming a single point in League C Group 2, Lithuania have now lost all of their last eight games, while winning just four of the last 30.
In charge of his country’s national team since 2023, head coach and former playing legend Edgaras Jankauskas has the task of ending that long wait for success – but June’s trip to Malta may offer a better opportunity to do so.
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When these nations last met – in the Baltic Cup, just over a decade ago – Lithuania did actually prevail, but Finland are favourites to take maximum points on Monday.
Not only is it just four years since they appeared at a major finals – the COVID-delayed Euro 2020 – but the Eagle-Owls also came close to reaching the playoffs for Qatar 2022.
However, a prolonged period of decline culminated with finishing bottom of their most recent Nations League group, and long-serving manager Markku Kanerva was replaced by Danish coach Jacob Friis in January.
The ex-Augsburg assistant started his reign with an unconvincing away win over Malta on Friday night, as Oliver Antman‘s first-half finish split the sides in Ta’ Qali.
Hoping to vie with Poland for a playoff place in Group G, his team cannot afford to drop points against lower-ranked opposition, so another win will be required on Monday.
Team News
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A powerful forward during his playing career, Edgaras Jankauskas has recently chosen Armandas Kucys to lead Lithuania’s attack, and the tall Celje striker should start again.
While Kucys has made an impact during his side’s run to the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, most of the hosts’ squad play at modest clubs – Torino youngster Gvidas Gineitis being the main exception. At the heart of a likely 3-4-2-1 formation, the latter will feature in midfield on Monday evening.
By contrast with their hosts, Finland can call upon several experienced attackers, with Teemu Pukki and Joel Pohjanpalo the two main candidates to start up front.
Oliver Antman and Benjamin Kallman, who combined to score the only goal in Malta, should support either centre-forward.
New boss Jacob Friis opted for a back four on Friday, and Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is set to win his 99th cap behind a similar defensive line in Kaunas.
Lithuania possible starting lineup:
Gertmonas; Kazukolovas, Utkus, Tutyskinas; Sirvys, Matulevicius, Gineitis, Lasickas; Dolznikov, Golubickas; Kucys
Finland possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Alho, Tenho, Ivanov, Uronen; Jensen, Kamara, Kairinen; Antman, Pohjanpalo, Kallman
We say: Lithuania 1-2 Finland
The onus will be on Finland to attack, as they must keep compiling points against Group G’s minnows if they are to make it through to the World Cup playoffs.
While Lithuania may be able to exploit any space, an overall deficit of quality in key areas should result in yet another defeat – their ninth in a row.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
