Lithuania go head-to-head with Finland in Gameweek Two of both teams' bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Both sides come into the game in terrible form, so they will be hoping they can turn things around and get themselves in contention for a place in the world's most coveted international footballing event.
Find out all the key stats and statistics leading up to the game in this Lithuania vs Finland prediction and preview. The match is set to take place at 17:00 on 24 March.
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Lithuania vs Finland prediction: Away win firmly expected
Key stats
- Lithuania are winless in their previous eight matches.
- Under 2.5 goals scored in four of Finland's last six matches.
- Oliver Antman has scored seven goals in 19 appearances for Finland.
Correct score prediction: Lithuania 0-2 Finland
While neither team have exactly covered themselves in glory over the previous few months, Finland managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Malta last time out, which certainly puts them in the driving seat for this upcoming fixture.
Lithuania have not won a game of football since 8 June 2024, which shows that there is arguably a larger gulf in quality between the two sides than one may initially expect. The visitors should be set to take a straightforward victory.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Finland slight favourites
- HOME: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.03%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.25%
- AWAY: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.45%
Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
With a clear outcome by no means on the cards, it is Finland who have been given the best chance of winning. Prior to their 1-0 win against Malta, the nation's last victory had come against Estonia exactly a year ago, when a 30th-minute strike from Fredrik Jensen helped them on their way to a 2-1 win.
Lithuania have been equally poor of late, and have managed just three goals in their last five matches, falling to defeat in each of them.
In any case, if you like our predictions for this duel, we have more exciting options on our free betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Second time to meet
The two small footballing nations have only encountered each other once before, with that game coming in 2014. A goal from Arvydas Novikovas proved to be the difference, as Lithuania grabbed an unlikely 1-0 away win.
The game was only a friendly, and thus provided no bearing on either team's struggles to qualify for major tournaments.
International Match 29/05/14
Finland
Lithuania
Lithuania preview: Hoping to get on the scoresheet
Lithuania's biggest struggle recently has been finding the net. Their last goal came back in November, when Torino youngster Gvidas Gineitis netted in a 2-1 loss to Cyprus. The side were defeated 1-0 by Poland in their first qualifying fixture, and will just be hoping to get on the scoresheet in what could prove to be another dismal outing.
Predicted lineup: Gertmonas (GK), Tutyskinas, Utkus, Kazukolovas, Lasickas, Gineitis, Antanavicius, Milasius, Cernych, Dolznikov & Kucys
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 24/03/25
D
Finland
2
Lithuania
2
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 21/03/25
L
Poland
1
Lithuania
0
UEFA Nations League C 18/11/24
L
Kosovo
1
Lithuania
0
UEFA Nations League C 15/11/24
L
Cyprus
2
Lithuania
1
UEFA Nations League C 15/10/24
L
Romania
2
Lithuania
1
Finland preview: Hoping to pick up where they left off
Finland will be hoping to stay on a winning path. Their initial victory against one of the group minnows has seen them get off to an unlikely positive start.
With Lithuania and Poland the other two confirmed teams in their group, manager Jacob Friis will be targeting a 100% record from the nation's opening two fixtures and with Lithuania having lost all of their last eight games and failing to score in the previous two, this seems entirely possible.
Predicted lineup: Hradecky (GK), Uronen, Ivanov, Tenho, Alho, Jensen, Kairinen, Kamara, Kallman, Pohjanpalo & Antman
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 24/03/25
D
Lithuania
2
Finland
2
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 21/03/25
W
Malta
0
Finland
1
UEFA Nations League B 17/11/24
L
Greece
2
Finland
0
UEFA Nations League B 14/11/24
L
Rep of Ireland
1
Finland
0
UEFA Nations League B 13/10/24
L
England
3
Finland
1
Player to watch: Oliver Antman
Match winner last time out for Finland, wide man Oliver Antman has been in electrifying form for Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie this season.
With five goals and 12 assists in 25 fixtures, he will be one to watch in this fixture. In a match expected to be bereft of quality, Antman could easily be the deciding factor here.