Lithuania – Slovenia / European Championship qualifications – This second Sunday’s duel in Group E of qualifications for EURO 2016 also brings us a showdown between two teams that have won six, or three points, after the first two rounds, but it should also be noted that Lithuania has reached that maximum effect thanks to their much lighter schedule than the Slovenes, which in turn have a score of one win and one defeat. Let us add that these two teams were together in a group only in qualifications for EURO 1996, and then Lithuania celebrated on both occasions. Begins: 12.10.2014 – 20:45 CET
Lithuania
But in the upcoming years, the ratio of power between these two teams has changed significantly, in favour of Slovenia, which means that Lithuania is definitely not the favourite in this duel, despite the fact that they achieved a maximum impact in the first two rounds of qualifications. Specifically, coach Pankratjevas’ players now have a fairly easier schedule, so they in the first round celebrated with 2-0 away against outsider San Marino , while they three days ago in a neighbouring derby against Estonia reached a victory of 1-0 at home.
Otherwise, the most deserving for these three points is their reservist Mikoliunas, who scored the only goal of the match 15 minutes before the end, which may have secured for the appearance in the starting lineup for this duel with Slovenia. It actually means that the experienced Kalonas will move to the bench, who has not exactly presented himself in the best light, while in turn the rest of the team should remain unchanged from that duel against Estonia.
Probable lineups Lithuania: Arlauskis – Vaitkunas, Freidgeimas, Kijanskas, Andriuskevicius – Panka, Vicius – Mikoliunas, Cernych, Novikovas – Matulevicius
Slovenia
As for the Slovenians, they have in the past qualifications had an excellent opportunity to get their hands on one big competition, because the group in which they played was not really difficult, however, they were not themselves, so they remained in third place, which did not brought them anything. In fact, Switzerland was possibly too strong, but they definitely had to do better against Iceland, Albania, Norway and Cyprus. Eventually they recorded five wins and five losses, and after that they played four friendly matches, again without draws.
Lithuania – Slovenia / European Championship qualifications
And when it was already certain that this is what will happen a month ago away match against Estonia, the host team has used a negligence of Slovenia’s defence and recorded victory of 1-0. However, the Slovenians have three days ago in Maribor in the same way won three points in a duel with the favoured Switzerland, but this time the decision player was the experienced player Novakovic, who in the 79th minute scored the winning goal from the penalty. Let us add that their coach Katanec due to injuries still cannot count on defensive players Jokic and Samardzic, midfielder Krhin and striker Ilicic.
Probable lineups Slovenia: Handanovic – Brecko, Ilic, Cesar, Struna – Mertelj, Kurtic – Kampl, Birsa, Lazarevic – Novakovic
Lithuania – Slovenia PICK
After they were in the first round in a similar away match in Estonia defeated with 1-0, we expect that the Slovenes will now be set much more firmly on the field against the Lithuania, which will above all hep them to score a goal, while they will seek their chance for further three points exclusively from counterattacks.
Pick: under 2.5 goals
Stake: 5/10
Odds: 1.70