Montenegro vs Lithuania prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-11-15 19:45.
This is a huge contest in Group G for Montenegro who will be desperate for three points to keep alive their hopes of reaching a first-ever European Championships as an independent nation. Unable to qualify via the play-offs, Miodrag Radulović’s side come into this game against Lithuania five points off of second, but crucially this is a game in hand which means they could potentially close that gap to just two points heading into the final round.
The hosts have put together a nice run of form on their own patch in recent times, tasting defeat in just one of their last four home matches (W2, D1). That should boost confidence ahead of this crucial clash, as should the fact they’re yet to suffer a loss in H2Hs against their visitors, having met on three occasions previously (W2, D1).
Radulović’s men face a Lithuania side playing for nothing but pride, with their elimination already confirmed despite an impressive draw against Hungary last time out (2-2). Like Montenegro, Lithuania have never been to a major tournament, but at least a shock 2-0 win on the road in their last away trip ended a run of ten winless away European qualifying matches (ECQ), and should have handed them a belief that they have the potential to put on another good showing here.
The win in Bulgaria also halted a run of four ECQ away games without a goal. Subsequently, the attacking picture for Edgaras Jankauskas’ side looks much different as they’ve now netted more than once in three of their last four matches – including at home to Montenegro in September (D2-2). Yet, just two clean sheets in their last nine (W1, D4, L4) highlights that greater improvements are also needed in defence if Lithuania are to really progress as a football nation.
Players to watch: Montenegro don’t score many, but when they do, Stevan Jovetić is usually involved. With three goal involvements in this qualifying cycle, including an assist in September’s H2H, he could be his side’s best route to finding the back of the net on Thursday. While wing-back Pijus Širvys has grabbed three of Lithuania’s last four goals, he also has 13 goal contributions at club FK Panevezys this season.
Hot stat: There have been 2+ match goals in 21 of Edgaras Jankauskas’ 23 competitive games in charge of Lithuania.