Prediction: Romania vs Lithuania

Verdict:  Romania (-1.5) AH

Best odds: 73/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Romania welcomes Lithuania in Bucharest for the second game of UEFA Nations League C. The game will be played at  Steaua Stadium where over 30000 fans will push the hosts towards another win that will consolidate their leaders position.

Romania

Romania is back to the highest level of European football. After missing the previous three final tournaments, Tricolorii achieved one of their best output by qualifying recently for the Euro 2024 in great style. Despite being seeded alongside Switzerland in the qualification group, Romania got the tickets to Germany by finishing at the top of the table.

The hosts maintained their level in Germany shocking Ukraine in the opening game with a 3-0 win. Although a 2-0 defeat to Belgium was a reality check, Romania reached the knockout phase after a goalless stalemate in the final group match against Slovakia.

Still, facing another European heavyweight, the Netherlands, was another major challenge for Edi Iordanescu’s team who were defeated 3-0. Romania still needs to improve to compete against Europe’s best after suffering heavy blows against strong sides like Belgium and the Netherlands, despite producing one of the biggest upsets by defeating Ukraine.

While Edi Iordanescu was credited for Romania’s success, the Tricolorii manager made a shock decision to resign. However, the president of FRF, Razvan Burleanu took a genius decision in appointing Mircea Lucescu at the helm. The experienced and multi-awarded veteran manager who won silverware with Galatasaray, Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo Kyiv is the perfect successor.

Being appointed on 6th August, Mircea Lucescu selected the same players that featured at Euro 2024 stating that he found a strong group with a great fighting spirit. His statement was tested in the first game of the UEFA Nations League Group C against Kosovo.

However, despite starting as underdogs according to odds attributed by the bookmakers, Romania trashed 3-0 a Kosovo star-studded team with many players featuring for top European sides. Dennis Man, the Parma ace stole the show scoring the opening goal and getting a penalty transformed by Razvan Marin.

Team News

Mircea Lucescu is unlikely to make any changes in the starting lineup. The attacking trio Man, Dragus, and Mihaila is expected to create chaos in Lithuania’s box. Radu Dragusin, the Tottenham centre-back, will lead the defensive line aiming to keep another clean sheet.

Lithuania

Failing to qualify for a final European championship or World Cup, Lithuania is still far from achieving such a performance. However, the hosts were successful in the regional Baltic Cup tournament by winning the trophy 10 times from 29 appearances. This performance established Lithuania as the second-best squad from the Baltic Sea area, behind Latvia.

Still, the side managed by Edgaras Jankauskas disappointed again in the Euro 2024 qualifications after recording a single win. Although Lithuania had a more accessible group with the strongest contenders being Hungary and Serbia, the visitors finished 4th, two points above the bottom of the table Bulgaria.

Yet, despite a disappointing Euro 2024 qualification campaign, Lithuania managed to retain their League C status after winning the doubleheader play-out against Gibraltar (2-0 on aggregate). This success boosted Lithuania’s confidence in the Baltic Sea Cup by defeating Latvia (2-0) in the semifinal, setting the ultimate battle with Estonia.

Despite being tipped to win the trophy, Lithuania suffered a major blow by losing the final following a heart-wrenching penalty shootout. The lack of accuracy in front of the opposition’s box extended in the opening game of the Nations League against Cyprus, despite dominating the game Edgaras Jankauskas’s team lost 1-0.  Facing the group leaders, Lithuania must improve to leave Steaua Stadium undefeated, a performance achieved last time in 2008.

Team News

Edgaras Jankauskas is expected to line a defensive 5-4-1 formation against Romania’s attacking power. Slovenian side Celje striker Armandas Kucys will be keen to add his name on the scoreboard after missing the target against Cyprus. The young and talented hitman helped his club reach the Conference League group stage after netting a double in the decisive match against Pyunik Yerevan.  

Key factors to consider

• Romanis lost a pair of games in the last 12 played across all competitions
• Tricolori started their Nations League campaign with a statement win against Kosovo
• Lithuania suffered a major blow after losing the Baltic Cup final against Estonia
• The visitors struggle on the road losing seven of their previous 10 matches

Conclusion

Following an excellent Euro 2024 and a perfect start to their Nations League campaign with an emphatic success against Kosovo, we expect a comfortable win for Romania. Furthermore, Lithuania’s recent dismal results indicate a heavy defeat for the visitors.

Verdict:  Romania (-1.5) AH

Best odds: 73/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet