Prediction: Lithuania vs Hungary

Verdict: Barnabas Varga to score anytime

Best Odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Knowing that they can take a giant step towards next year’s European Championships, Hungary will make the trip out to Lithuania on Tuesday night.

Lithuania

Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a stunning performance on foreign soil over the weekend as they claimed a 2-0 victory against Bulgaria, Lithuania will be desperate to use that iconic display as a platform to build on. However, only mustering five points from a possible 18 during this year’s EURO 24 qualifying adventure and always knowing that they were seeking a real miracle, Edgaras Jankauskas’ side will be more than aware that they face a huge challenge on Tuesday night. Mustering just a single win from any of their previous 16 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 2-1 win against San Marino 19 months ago – Lithuania have also gained a reputation for their extended issues on home soil. Last seen in Kaunas getting hit with a routine 3-1 loss at the hands of Serbia last month, Jankauskas’ men are without a single victory in front of their own supporters since October 2021.

Team News

Picking up their first Group C victory of the year away at Bulgaria over the weekend, Jankauskas could be tempted to name an identical starting XI here. Bagging a famous brace on foreign soil a few days ago, it is worth keeping an eye out for left-back Pijus Sirvys on Tuesday night.

Playing his domestic football with Turkish-based outfit Istanbulspor, 27-year-old Modestas Vorobjovas will once again partner Cercle Brugge’s Edgaras Utkus at the heart of Lithuania’s midfield.

Hungary

As for the visitors, marking their return to EURO 24 qualifying duties with a stunning performance as they secured a 2-1 win against Serbia over the weekend, there is no doubt that Hungary will be seeking a repeat display here. Only continuing to gain a string of plaudits and riding what has been an extended wave of momentum, Marco Rossi’s side find themselves sat firmly in pole position to book a return to the major tournament stage. Now holding a three-point buffer at the top of the Group G table, Tuesday’s guests will be looking to lay down a crucial marker in midweek. Rightfully tipped as a standout contender here, Hungary should also be excited by a stellar record against their Group G rivals. Including a routine 2-0 victory when they welcomed Lithuania to Budapest for their reverse qualifying showdown back on June 20th, it is worth noting that Rossi’s side have won each of their previous three meetings by an aggregate score of 8-0.

Team News

Once again finding the net against Serbia over the weekend and now notching a staggering 21 goals in his last 23 appearances for club and country, Ferencvaros striker Barnabas Varga will have a leading role to play here.

Continuing to shine since making the move to Premier League giants Liverpool this summer, 22-year-old Dominik Szobiszlai will once again lead out Hungary on Tuesday night. Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles should partner Adam Nagy at the heart of Rossi’s midfield in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Group G showdown back on June 20th, Hungary claimed a 2-0 victory in Budapest.
• Likewise, Hungary have won each of their last three meetings against Lithuania by an aggregate score of 8-0.
• Along with holding a three-point buffer at the top of the Group G standings, the Magyars are unbeaten in each of their previous nine appearances across all formats.
• Landing a 2-0 win against Bulgaria over the weekend, that was the first victory that Lithuania have collected from any of their last 16 appearances.
• On a similar note, Tuesday’s hosts are without a single victory in front of their own supporters since October 2021.

Conclusion

While Lithuania might have made a stellar return to winning ways over the weekend as they landed a 2-0 victory against Bulgaria, Tuesday’s hosts will be more than aware that they face a huge challenge here. Without a single win in front of their own supporters over the past two years, Hungary will be looking to lay down what could be a crucial marker here. Riding what has been a major wave of momentum and appearing to cruise their way to next year’s European Championships, the midweek guests will also be excited by a rampant record against their Group G rivals. Winning each of their last three meetings by an aggregate score of 8-0, the free-scoring Varga will be hoping to extend on his recent purple patch.

Verdict: Barnabas Varga to score anytime

Best Odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: Luckster