Prediciton: Zalgiris Vilnius vs VPS

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 19/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Following a narrow win in Finland, Lithuania heavyweights Zalgiris are in pole position to progress to the Conference League quarter-finals. The game will be played at LFF Stadium where the hosts enjoyed great success recently. With no more than 5, 000 fans attending the contest, we expect the highlights to be on the pitch rather than in the stands.

Zalgiris Vilnius

Once a former Soviet Union championship competitor, Zaligiris became the most successful Lithuanian football club since the breakout from the Soviet Union block (1990). After missing 1st place in Lithuania’s inaugural domestic competition, the Green-Whites won back-to-back titles in the following seasons.

Although the visitors were often hit by internal problems that diminished the field performance, FK Zalgiris became the most successful club in Lithuanian football with 10 championships won. Furthermore, the Vilnius outfit established itself as the dominant force in the last 34 years by winning likewise the Lithuanian Cup (14 titles) and the Lithuanian Super Cup (8 titles).

However, despite dominating the domestic competitions, Zalgiris struggled to compete in Europe facing teams from top championships. Still, despite the obvious value deficit and being knocked out in the first rounds, the Green-Whites achieved a historic qualification to the Conference League group stage after defeating Swedish heavyweights Malmo (3-0 on aggregate).

Zalgiris became the first-ever Lithuanian club in the group stages of a UEFA competition, where unfortunately they finished last in Group H after being seeded with Basel, Slovan Bratislava and Punyik. Yet, the Lithuanians were not far from reaching the knock-out stage after winning 5 points in the group stage.

Heading towards their 11 championship crown in great style after dominating A-Lyga during the entire season, Zalgiris is tipped to progress further in Europe after taking a crucial advantage in Finland. Having a 7-point lead domestically, the Vilnius outfit aims to get the job done against VPS after scoring the 1st round winner in the stoppage time.

Team News

Central midfielder Leandro Fernandes will not play against VPS sustaining a meniscus injury. With all other payers available, Vladimir Cheburin can line up his best squad. The experienced Kazakh manager is expected to use the same 4-4-2 system that yielded great success domestically and in the 1st leg contest in Finland.

VPS

Vaasan Palloseura aka VPS failed to make any impression on the European stage. Despite playing in the Europa League qualifiers for three consecutive seasons (2014-2017), the Vaasa outfit progressed a single time in the second phase by producing a shock back in 2017 by eliminating Slovenian heavyweights Olimpija Ljubljana.

Although the Finland side started as underdogs, a double win with the same score (1-0) returned VPS’s most successful European achievement. However, Zalgiris took advantage of Jussi Nuorela’s team’s struggles that was extended in the 1st leg, following three domestic failures.

Being battered by SJK in the Finish Cup (5-1) was followed by another two dismal outputs that saw VPS losing both games against Inter Turku (3-1) and Ekenas (2-3). Furthermore, by adding the two goals conceded in the first leg against Zalgiris, Jussi Nuorela’s team’s defensive output was the worst run since the Finish boss took charge back in 2021.

However, despite this evident fall, the visitors’ are still in the tie after scoring a second-half goal, leaving the qualification to be decided at LFF Stadium. Furthermore, an impressive away run with five wins in seven games points to VPS’s ability to get the job on the road.

Team News

Vaasan Palloseura can line up the best formation having all the players available for the Vilnius trip. While the attacking lines performed well in the first leg, the defence needs a major improvement with all the back four players performing below par.

Key factors to consider

• Zalgiris lost the last two championship games before winning the first leg against VPS
• The hosts scored 12 goals in the last six competitive games
• With a record of 15 wins, four draws and 3 defeats, Vladimir Cheburin’s team leads the A Lyga with a seven points advantage over second-placed Hegelmann
• Despite having a man sent off, VPS managed to keep the tie open by scoring a crucial goal against Zalgiris
• The visitors’ last two domestic games returned shameful defeats by conceding eight goals (5-1 and 3-1)
• VPS won only seven games from 15 played in Veikkausliiga

Conclusion

Although Zalgiris has a great chance to seal the qualification following the 1st leg win, VPS proved unpredictable. With the qualification open for grabs, we expect an open game with goals scored at both ends.

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 19/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet