Lithuania vs Poland Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

Lithuania would feel hard done by after pushing both Poland and Netherlands to their limits, losing by a narrow one-goal margin on both occasions while securing three draws against opponents in their own weight class.

Against Poland (1-0) in their Group G opener, Lithuania gave a good account of themselves but left empty-handed as Lewandowski showed his class.

After only 17 minutes, Lithuania were in trouble against Finland. Armandas Kucys and Gvidas Gineitis rescued a draw for the Rinktine in the second half, clawing Lithuania back from a two-goal deficit.

Lithuania (145th) were disappointing on their trip to Malta (166th), coming away with a goalless draw against an opponent that’s ranked 21 places lower than.

Manager Edgaras Jankauskas then opted to test his side in a high-profile friendly against Denmark, but the gulf in class was evident as Lithuania were thrashed (5-0) in a humbling defeat.

Gvidas Gineitis saved Lithuania from the penalty spot during extra time (96th-minute) to secure a 1-1 draw with Malta. Gineitis and Edvinas Girdvainis were on the scoresheet as Lithuania gave the Netherlands a proper run for their money in a 3-2 defeat.

Lithuania’s qualifying campaign has been far from consistent, but their ability to push stronger teams and grind out results suggests untapped potential. 

With improved discipline at the back and more composure in front of goal, they could play spoiler for the others in Group G.

Following their 2-1 loss to Finland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, the Polish Football Association decided to part ways with manager Michal Probierz after a 21-match spell.

Jan Urban, who represented Poland 57 times in his career as a player, was appointed as the new head coach. Prior to Urban’s arrival, talisman Robert Lewandowski inspired Poland to a (1-0) victory over Lithuania on home soil in Warsaw.

In their next Group G qualifier, Poland, ranked 36th on the latest FIFA rankings, rested Lewandowski against minnows Malta (166th). Karol Swiderski, currently in fine form for Panathinaikos, grabbed the opportunity with both hands, scoring a brace to galvanize the Eagles to a (2-0) win.

Since taking over the reins, manager Jan Urban held group-favourites Netherlands to a (1-1) stalemate away in Feyenoord as Matty Cash rescued a point for the Eagles, cancelling out Denzel Dumfries' opener.

Poland were sensational in Urban’s debut on home soil with Matty Cash, Robert Lewandowski, and Jakub Kaminski scoring to claim maximum points over Finland (3-1), the team that got their previous manager Probierz sacked.

The Eagles are set to take on New Zealand in a friendly match in order to be match-sharp against Lithuania. With momentum building under manager Jan Urban, Poland appears to have turned a corner both mentally and tactically.

The blend of experienced leaders like Lewandowski and emerging talents such as Swiderski and Kaminski gives the Eagles renewed hope in their push for World Cup qualification.