Finland will look to put pressure on the top two of Group G when they welcome Lithuania to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on Thursday evening. Indeed, the hosts are currently in third place, but just three points behind the more-fancied Netherlands and Poland.
Meanwhile, Lithuania are in fourth position having only collected a total of three points from their five qualifying games so far. The visitors are already up against it in terms of being able to book their place in the finals.
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Finland vs Lithuania prediction: Bank on a home win?
Key stats
- Finland won their last home qualifying match 2-1 against Poland.
- Lithuania have not won a game in any competition since June 2024.
- Both teams have scored just 11 goals combined in 10 overall qualifiers.
Correct score prediction: Finland 2-0 Lithuania
Finland won on their previous home outing, while Lithuania have a poor away record of late. Given that the hosts are also 74 places above their opponents in the official FIFA World Rankings, we are expecting a fairly comfortable home victory here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Finland big favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 1/2 (1.50) – 66.7%
- DRAW: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Finland are heavily favoured by the bookmakers to claim all three points on home soil. A draw can be backed at just under 24%, while a Lithuania victory on their travels is rated at just over 15%.
Also, feel free to check out our Football Betting Tips Today page for more of our predictions on the other World Cup qualifiers taking place.
Most recent H2Hs: Lithuania unbeaten…
Lithuania are actually unbeaten in the previous two H2Hs, including in the World Cup qualifier at their ground in March. They drew that game 2-2, and will be hoping for another positive result in Finland.
International Match 29/05/14
Finland
Lithuania
Finland preview: Hradecky injury blow
First-choice goalkeeper and captain Lukas Hradecky will not play for Finland due to injury. Roman Eremenko will also play no part for the hosts.
Predicted lineup: Joronen (GK), Alho, Koski, Uronen, Peltola, Suhonen, Antman, Kairinen, Tenho, Lod & Pohjanpalo
Last five results:
- Poland 3-1 Finland
- Norway 1-0 Finland
- Finland 2-1 Poland
- Finland 0-2 Netherlands
- Lithuania 2-2 Finland
Lithuania preview: Two injury absentees
Both Manfredas Ruzgis and Armandas Kucys are not in contention for Lithuania due to injury. Otherwise, the visitors will be expected to name their strongest starting XI possible.
Predicted lineup: Gertmonas (GK), Lekiatas, Girdvainis, Armalas, Upstas, Antanavicius, Gineitis, Golubickas, Lasickas, Dolznikov & Jansonas
Last five results:
- Lithuania 2-3 Netherlands
- Lithuania 1-1 Malta
- Denmark 5-0 Lithuania
- Malta 0-0 Lithuania
- Lithuania 2-2 Finland
Player to watch: Joel Pohjanpalo
It would have been difficult for any Finnish striker to fill the boots of Teemu Pukki, but Joel Pohjanpalo is doing his best to do just that. Indeed, he scored albeit a consolation goal for Finland in a 3-1 defeat at Poland last time out, but also netted in the 2-2 draw at Lithuania in the reverse fixture in World Cup qualifying.