Lithuania – Bulgaria : Preview & Prediction
Lithuania’s attempt to make its first appearance at a European Championship began with a 2-0 loss in Serbia earlier this year, extending its winless streak in qualifying for that tournament to 11 matches (E2, P9). Combine that with a current 11-game winless streak in official matches dating back to October 2021 (E1, P10), and it’s no wonder they are the underdogs to advance from Group G.
The home side have recorded just two wins in their history against their four Group G opponents, however, with one of those being their most recent official success – a 3-1 win in World Cup Qualifying at home to Bulgaria in 2021 – perhaps Edgaras Jankauskas’ side have the momentum to end their drought. That said, a total of just two goals scored in six home games since that win is far from inspiring!
Bulgaria have not come close to qualifying for a European Championship since falling one point short in 2008 when the Netherlands eliminated them. Their two qualifiers in March, in which they lost 1-0 at home to Montenegro and 3-0 away to Hungary, have led to widespread dissatisfaction with coach Mladen Krstajić with only six games under his belt.
That home loss to Montenegro was especially damaging given Bulgaria’s low likelihood of accumulating enough points on the road to reach its first European Championship since 2004. Bulgaria has not won in any of its last 16 matches (E5, P11) in qualifying for a European Championship or World Cup in an eight-year period.
Players to watch: It was 32-year-old striker Fedor Černych who stuck the knife in the Bulgarian heart with a second-half brace in that 3-1 win in 2021. Bulgaria’s consolation that day came from Kiril Despodov, who is in incredible club form after contributing a goal in nine of his last 10 games for Ludogorets (three goals, 11 assists)
Key stat: Lithuania has scored before halftime in just one of its last 25 defeats.
Lithuania – Bulgaria : Betting Tips
Bulgaria – Win Odds: 2.25
