Prediction: Zalgiris vs Malmo FF

Prediction: Malmo win

Best Odds: 22/31

Bookmaker: 888sport

It’s July, and that can only mean two things – painfully hot weather and the return of UEFA Champions League qualifying. The premier club competition across Europe is back and while we may be a long, long way off of finding out who will contest the final in Istanbul, we’re still intrigued to see how these qualifiers go – especially when it comes to Zalgiris Vilnius vs Malmo in the second round.

Zalgiris Vilnius

Zalgiris Vilnius aren’t exactly household names but the fact that they’ve been able to make it to this stage shows how much they’ve grown as a club. They were floating around without much hope last season but this time around they’re showing plenty of fight, as highlighted by their 2-1 aggregate win over Kosovo’s Ballkani that set them up for one of their biggest games in recent memory.

Malmo FF

After going through four rounds of qualifying, including the play-offs, Malmo had more than earned their spot in the Champions League group stage last season – to go alongside their reward of capturing yet another league title. Unfortunately they were stuck in a tough group with Juventus, Chelsea and Zenit, but that kind of experience should prove to be invaluable this time around.

Factors to Consider

• Both teams are still in the middle of their domestic league campaigns.
• Zalgiris are top of A Lyga with just one defeat in 18 games.
• Malmo are 5th in Allsvenskan with four wins in their last five games.
• Zalgiris reached the Conference League qualifying play-offs last season.
• Malmo reached the Champions League group stage last season.

Conclusion

Zalgiris know how to keep it tight at the back in a domestic setting and we’re confident in saying they’re going to have a lively, but small, home crowd behind them. At the same time, Malmo have far more experience in this department and a better squad overall, which is why we think they’ll edge out a 2-1 first leg win that’ll keep the Lithuanians believing they can do something in the second leg.

Prediction: Malmo win

Best Odds: 22/31

Bookmaker: 888sport