After their UEFA Champions League dreams faded, both Linfield Belfast and Zalgiris Vilnius now face a crucial last shot at European football – to secure a place in the UEFA Conference League tournament proper – when they clash at Windsor Park on Thursday, 31 July.
View our Conference League predictions after analysing the Linfield Belfast vs FK Zalgiris Vilnius preview.
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Linfield vs FK Zalgiris prediction: Away victory on the cards
Key Stats
- Linfield are winless in four straight games, including a friendly (D2, L2).
- The Blues remain without victory in back-to-back home outings (D1, L1).
- Zalgiris have lost just once across their last five competitive fixtures (W4).
- The Green Whites are winless in four of their last five away games (D2, L2).
Correct score prediction: Linfield 1-2 Zalgiris
Linfield failed to break down Valentin Cherubin’s men in the first leg, ultimately settling for a goalless draw. The Blues have now gone three competitive games without a win this season, managing just a single goal in that span. A victory is urgently needed for David Healy and co., but Zalgiris arrive in better form.
Meanwhile, Zalgiris bounced back from their dramatic Champions League qualifying exit – an 11-10 penalty shootout defeat to Hamrun Spartans – with a 2-0 win over Dziugas Telsiai. That result extended their unbeaten run to two matches, giving them a potential edge in momentum. Given both sides’ recent performances, we’re backing Zalgiris in secure an away win and clinch a European spot for the first time since the 2022/23 campaign.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Home advantage speaks volumes
- HOME: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.4%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.2%
- AWAY: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Linfield are expectedly the favourites in this second leg clash at Windsor Park. Following the goalless draw, bookmakers back David Healy’s team to clinch a positive result, with 6/5 (2.20) odds of emerging victorious.
Zalgiris were eliminated from the UCL after suffering in their previous away outing, and enter this clash as underdogs. The Lithuanian champions are priced at 23/10 (3.30) odds – implying a majority 30.3% chance of securing success for the second time in three matches.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Linfield vs Zalgiris predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Fourth meeting
The two sides met in the first round of UCL qualifiers back in 2021/22, with Zalgiris triumphant on both occasions, beating Linfield 5-2 on aggregate. Linfield suffered a 2-1 defeat last time they welcomed Zalgiris.
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 24/07/25
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
Linfield
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 13/07/21
Linfield
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 06/07/21
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
Linfield
Linfield preview: First win of the season?
Healy is expected to miss Euan East, who was withdrawn during the first half in the first leg.
Predicted lineup: Johns (GK), Orr, Whiteside, Roscoe, McGee, Shields, Mulgrew, Archer; Millar, Fitzpatrick & Offord
Northern Ireland Premier 26/04/25
L
Coleraine
1
Linfield
0
Northern Ireland Premier 18/04/25
L
Larne FC
2
Linfield
1
Northern Ireland Premier 12/04/25
W
Dungannon Swifts
0
Linfield
2
Northern Ireland Premier 05/04/25
W
Glentoran
1
Linfield
2
Northern Ireland Premier 01/04/25
W
Crusaders
1
Linfield
3
Zalgiris preview: Away victory?
Centre-back Vasilije Radenovic is available again after serving a one-match ban for his sending off against Hamrun Spartans. However, Zalgiris are likely to stick with the same eleven that played the first leg.
Predicted lineup: Olses (GK), Youla, Kendysh, Dumancic, Tavares, Moutachy, Ofori, Salcinovic, Verbickas, Antal & Chol
Europe Friendlies 15/02/25
W
Tukums 2000
0
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
5
Europe Friendlies 30/01/25
L
Hegelmann Litauen
3
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
2
Europe Friendlies 25/01/25
W
FK Dziugas Telsiai
0
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
3
Europe Friendlies 18/01/25
L
Rigas FS
1
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
0
Lithuania A Lyga 09/11/24
L
FK Dziugas Telsiai
1
FK Zalgiris Vilnius
0
Player to watch: Liviu Antal
Zalgiris’ most potent attacker, Antal has netted in three of his last six appearances for the club, including the league opener against Telsiai in the Lithuanian top-tier last matchday. He put in a match-winning performance with a brace and assist in his side’s 4-2 thrashing of Panevezys, before finding the back of the net against Hamrun in the UCL first leg qualifier. With the support of his teammates, the Romanian marksman has the ability to cause damage.