Prediction: Bulgaria – Lithuania

Verdict: Home & Over 2.5 

Best odds: 2.45

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Bulgaria and Lithuania face off in Sofia in a match without any stake. Tonight’s adversaries are bottom of the table with no chance of reaching next year’s European final tournament. The game will be played on National Stadium Vasil Levski starting at 19:00.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s national team has been in decline in the last couple of years, failing to produce any significant results. The team from South of the river Danube has a disappointing series of 7 matches without a win. A 2-0 win away in a friendly match with Cyprus back in November 2022 was the last time Bulgaria made their fans proud. Mladen Krstajic failed to save the sinking ship since his arrival last summer. The Lions fell to a shameful 78 position in the FIFA ranking having been number 8 in 1995. It was the golden era when Stoichkov was at his peak. Bulgaria failed to qualify for any major tournament since 2004.

The hosts are already out of the qualification race for next year’s EURO, winning only 2 points in a relatively easy group. The draw against Serbia back in June was Bulgaria’s best result in this campaign. Mladen Krstajic’s men sealed prematurely any chance to get their tickets for Germany after losing away at Montenegro. Bulgaria managed to get a draw in the first encounter with Lithuania, a result that makes them favourites to win tonight.   

Team News

Kiril Despodov, the captain and leader of Bulgaria, is expected to lead his teammates to their 1st win in group G. Spas Borislavov Delev, the experienced winger from Ludogorets, is injured and will not be available for this fixture. Viktor Popov is facing a suspension for the next game against Albania if he will be booked tonight.

Mladen Krstajic is expected to stick to his 3-4-3 offensive line-up with Antov leading the back 3 line. Kraev and Gruev will hold the midfield and transition the play towards wingers Petkov and Rusev. Delev is expected to repeat his good performance from the match against Montenegro and score at least once against Lithuania.

Lithuania

Lithuania has been in a free fall regarding results and performances in the last couple of years. The Baltic Sea team’s fall is evident in the last 15 years. Going from a 37 position in the FIFA rank to an embarrassing 147 today. This is backed even further by Lituhania’s Euro qualification campaign. Failing to win any game and sitting bottom of the table is a disappointing feat for their fans. The visitors failed to win in their last 15 matches which proved even further that football is not a priority in Lithuania. A friendly away at San Marino dating from March 2022 was the last time Lithuania felt the taste of victory.

Team News

Gytis Paulauskas is expecting to start as a centre forward, looking to repeat the good performance he had against Serbia when he scored. He will expect quality crosses from Cernich and Slivka who will back him from the sides.

Leikatas and Gervaidnis will guide the back line, backed by Lasickas and Beneta from the right and left side. Lithuania doesn’t have any injuries, and Paulauskas will be able to set up his best 11.

Key factors to consider

• Bulgaria failed to win a game in this group.
• The home team’s last presence at a UEFA European Championship was in 2004.
• The Lions scored just 3 goals in their 5 games played.
• Lithuania never qualified for a European tournament.
• The visitors sit at the bottom of the table with 2 points from 5 games.
• Lithuania won their last competitive match in a World Cup qualifier played at home against Bulgaria (3-1).

Conclusion

Bulgaria and Lithuania have virtually no chance of qualifying for Euro 2024. Both teams are hoping to get their 1st win of the group in order to avoid the embarrassment of finishing bottom of the table. The hosts are favourites on paper, winning both previous 2 matches played at home against Lithuania. I am backing Bulgaria to win an open game with many goals scored.

Verdict: Home & Over 2.5 

Best odds: 2.45

Bookmaker: Zetbet