Pyunik Yerevan vs Zalgiris prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-05 16:45.
In their first-ever European group phase, Pyunik Yerevan made history in their last UEFA Europa Conference League game by beating Slovan Bratislava 2-0 and securing a maiden win at this stage. Scoring two goals in the space of two first-half minutes was enough to see off the Slovakian outfit and they now sit second in Group H after two rounds, with some fans perhaps starting to dream of a place in the knockouts.
The 15-time Armenian champions returned from the international break in some style too, demolishing Alashkert 5-1, who were league leaders heading into that clash. That result came on home soil, and the Republican Stadium has proved a happy hunting ground for Pyunik of late, winning each of their last five games here whilst scoring 14 goals in the process, so they might be confident of another triumph here.
Looking to spoil the Pyunik party are FK Žalgiris, who are in desperate need of positive results from the upcoming double header with the Armenian outfit, after failing to win either of their first two group games (D1, L1). Also debuting at this stage, Vladimir Cheburin’s men are yet to score, and would do their chances of progression serious harm with any more profligacy in front of goal.
Replicating their spectacular domestic form will be crucial for the Lithuanian champions if they are to come away with anything, as they’ve lost just one A Lyga match from their last 37 outings (W29, D8), in a run that stretches back to September 2021! Perhaps confidence can be gained from an unbeaten return from their four previous meetings with Armenian opposition (W3, D1), including two H2Hs with Pyunik in the 2013 UEFA Europa League qualifiers (W1, D1).
Players to watch: Looking to do the damage for Pyunik will be Yusuf Otubanjo, who has netted in each of his last three appearances. At the other end, Renan Oliveira is perhaps Žalgiris’ biggest threat with the forward finding the back of the net nine times in his last 13 outings.
Hot stat: Pyunik’s Hovhannes Harutyunyan has been on the losing side just once in his career when he’s found the back of the net (W11, D2).