Lithuania and Cyprus go head-to-head in the 2024 UEFA Nations League at the Darius and Girėnas Stadium on Friday. Both sides met in a friendly matchup last November, with Temur Ketsbaia’s men claiming a 1-0 victory courtesy of a first-half strike from AIK forward Ioannis Pittas.
Edgaras Jankauskas’ side now turn their attention to the Nations League, where they secured a 2-0 aggregate victory over Gibraltar in the League C relegation playoff in March.
Lithuania had failed to win any of their six matches in Group 1 of League C back in 2022, losing five and claiming one draw to finish rock-bottom in the standings.
Cyprus, on the other hand, returned to winning ways in style as they thrashed San Marino 4-1 in a friendly matchup at the San Marino Stadium on June 11.
Before that, Ketsbaia’s men were on a three-game winless run, losing twice and claiming one draw while conceding five goals and scoring twice.
Like Friday’s hosts, Cyprus finished last in Group 2 of League C back in the 2022 Nations League, having picked up just five points from a possible 18.
Lithuania vs Cyprus: Team News
Lithuania have a few injury concerns heading into this fixture. Midfielders Paulius Golubickas and Gvidas Gineitis are both currently sidelined, along with defender Edgaras Utkus. However, the manager has made the decision to leave out two of his most experienced players in Arvydas Novikovas (96 caps) and Fedor Cernych (93 caps), allowing for some new faces to take their place.
Ketsbaia has stuck with much of the same squad that featured in Euro qualifying, with no new faces called up. AIK striker Ioannis Pittas has been one of the standout performers in Sweden this year, with 14 goals in 2024 and is likely to start in attack alongside Grigoris Kastanos. Peterborough United’s Hector Kyprianou has also made a fine start to the campaign, and should start next to St Mirren’s Alex Gogic in defense.
Lithuania vs Cyprus: Predicted Lineups
Lithuania possible starting lineup: Gertmonas; Lekiatas, Kazukolovas, Tutyskinas; Lasickas, Slivka, Verbickas, Vorobjovas, Sirvys; Kucys, Paulauskas
Cyprus possible starting lineup: Mall; Kyprianou, Gogic, Laifis; Andreou, Charalampous, Kyriakou, Anderson Correia; Pittas, Kastanos, Loizou
Lithuania vs Cyprus: Head-to-Head Record
This will be the fifth meeting between the two nations, and Cyprus will see it as an opportunity to end that barren run, having won the most recent fixture last November, coming out on top by one goal to nil.
The three previous encounters all came either side of the millennium in different iterations of the invitational Cyprus Tournament, with Cyprus also coming out on top across those matches - two wins to Lithuania’s one. This means that Cyprus holds a 3-1 win advantage over Lithuania in their head-to-head record.
Lithuania vs Cyprus: Predictions and Betting Tips
While Cyprus have enjoyed the better of this fixture, they have failed to win their last nine competitive games - a run that will give Lithuania plenty of optimism heading into this match. Lithuania’s home advantage gives them a slight upper hand here and we are backing them to secure a narrow victory.
Prediction: Lithuania 1-0 Cyprus
Tip 1: Result - Lithuania to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals - No (There have been fewer than three goals scored in Lithuania’s last six games)
Tip 3: Over 10.5 corners - No (There have also been fewer than 11 corner kicks in four of the hosts’ last five matches)
Lithuania vs Cyprus: Where to Watch
The match will be broadcast on television by Fox Sports and fuboTV
The Lithuania vs Cyprus can be tuned in from live streams by Fox Sports app and VIX
If you want to follow the result of the match live online, VAVEL USA is your best option.
Lithuania vs Cyprus: Key Takeaways
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Lithuania and Cyprus kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign with a crucial clash at the Darius and Girėnas Stadium on Friday.
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Lithuania have a slight home advantage and we are backing them to secure a narrow victory.
Lithuania vs Cyprus: Final Thoughts
This is a crucial match for both sides as they look to start their UEFA Nations League campaign on a positive note. Lithuania will be looking to take advantage of their home advantage, while Cyprus will be looking to end their long winless streak. It promises to be a close encounter, and we are excited to see how it unfolds.
